Optical transceiver module and duplex fiber optic connector

1. An optical connector assembly comprising:

a duplex fiber optic connector comprising an integrally-formed connector housing comprising:

a top portion and a bottom portion connected via a flexible hinge and defining a pair of channels for receiving a transmitter fiber optic cable and a receiver fiber optic cable at a first end of the integrally-formed connector housing; and

a pair of ferrules disposed on a second end of the integrally-formed connector housing opposite the first end, one ferrule for receiving a first fiber core associated with the transmitter fiber optic cable and the other ferrule for receiving a second fiber core associated with the receiver fiber optic cable; and

an optical transceiver module comprising:

an integrally-formed transceiver housing having opposing top and bottom surfaces and a front surface perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces, the front surface having a duplex front port with a pair of alignment holes for receiving the pair of ferrules from the duplex fiber optic connector in a direction parallel to the top and bottom surfaces, the duplex front port having an upper flexible retaining element positioned on the front surface adjacent the top surface and a lower flexible retaining element positioned on the front surface adjacent the bottom surface, the upper and lower flexible retaining elements adapted to vertically flex relative to the top and bottom surfaces and thereby retain the pair of ferrules;

an opto-electronic assembly contained within the transceiver housing; and

an electrical interface positioned on and extending away from the bottom surface of the transceiver housing.

2. The optical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver housing and the connector housing comprise injection-molded plastic.

3. The optical connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of the connector housing and the transceiver housing comprises an orientation key and the other comprises an orientation keyway.

4. The optical connector assembly of claim 3 , wherein one of the connector housing and the transceiver housing further comprises a latch and the other comprises a cut-out for receiving the latch.

5. A duplex fiber optic connector comprising:

an integrally-formed housing having a top portion and a bottom portion connected via a flexible hinge and defining a pair of channels for receiving a transmitter fiber optic cable and a receiver fiber optic cable at a first end of the integrally-formed housing;

a pair of ferrules disposed on a second end of the integrally-formed housing opposite the first end, one ferrule for receiving a first fiber core associated with the transmitter fiber optic cable and the other ferrule for receiving a second fiber core associated with the receiver fiber optic cable;

a connector latching element disposed on one of the top portion and the bottom portion; and

a connector orientation key or keyway disposed on the other of the top portion and the bottom portion;

wherein the top portion and the bottom portion have an upwardly extending protrusion for engaging with upper and lower flexible retaining elements, respectively, of an optical transceiver module and applying a horizontal and vertical retention force to the integrally formed housing.

6. The duplex fiber optic connector of claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises an injection-molded plastic material.

7. The duplex fiber optic connector of claim 5 , wherein the connector latching element comprises a flexible base element.

8. The duplex fiber optic connector of claim 5 , wherein one of the top portion and the bottom portion includes at least one latch element, and the other of the top portion and the bottom portion includes at least one recess for receiving the latch element.