Flexible Structured Optical Modules
Optical modules as used in various types of communication systems are formed to include a flexible substrate to support various optical, electronic, and opto-electronic module components in a manner that can accommodate various packaging constraints. The flexible substrate is formed of a polyimide film is known to exhibit excellent electrical isolation properties, even though the films are generally relatively thin (on the order of 10-100 μms, in most cases). The flexible polyimide film is sized to accommodate the constraints of a given package “footprint”; more particularly, sized to fit an open ‘floor area’ within package, allowing for a populated film to be placed around various other “fixed-in-place” elements . The polyimide film is easily cut and trimmed to exhibit whatever topology is convenient, while providing enough surface area to support the affixed components and associated optical fiber traces.
1 . An optical module comprising
a plurality of optical components;
a plurality of electro-optic components;
sections of optical fiber interconnecting the plurality of optical components and the plurality of electro-optic components in a predetermined configuration; and
a flexible substrate including an adhesive-coated surface layer, where the plurality of optical components and the plurality of electro-optic components are affixed to the adhesive-coated surface layer and the sections of optical fiber are disposed in paths formed within the adhesive-coated surface layer.
2 . The optical module as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate is formed to include openings for accommodating additional system elements.
3 . The optical module as defined in claim 2 wherein the additional system elements include fixed-in-place components.
4 . The optical module as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate comprises multiple layers of flexible material disposed over one another.
5 . The optical module as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one layer of flexible material supports a coil of optical fiber.
6 . The optical module as defined in claim 5 wherein the coil of optical fiber comprises a coil of rare earth-doped optical fiber utilized for an optical amplifier.
7 . The optical module as defined in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises at least one heater element affixed to the adhesive-coated surface layer of the flexible substrate.
8 . The optical module as defined in claim 1 wherein the module further comprises at least one cooler element affixed to the adhesive-coated surface layer of the flexible substrate.
9 . The optical module as defined in claim 1 wherein the adhesive-coated surface layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive material.
10 . The optical module as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate comprises a film of polyimide material.
11 . An optical module comprising
a plurality of optical components;
a plurality of electro-optic components;
sections of optical fiber interconnecting the plurality of optical components and the plurality of electro-optic components in a predetermined configuration; and
a flexible substrate including an adhesive-coated surface layer, where the plurality of optical components and the plurality of electro-optic components are affixed to the adhesive-coated surface layer.
12 . An optical module as defined in claim 11 wherein the sections of optical fiber are disposed in paths formed within the adhesive-coated surface layer.