Device for coupling and/or decoupling optical signals

1. A device for coupling optical signals into at least one waveguide, wherein the device comprises:

at least one electro-optical converter; and

at least one send-site circuit,

wherein the send-side circuit based on incoming signals from send-site terminal contacts actuates the electro-optical converter, which sends out the optical signals in the direction of an axis of the waveguide,

wherein the electro-optical converter is incorporated in at least one send-site receptacle/alignment module,

wherein the send-site receptacle/alignment module comprises at least one groove- or trough-shaped depression for aligning the waveguide in relation to the electro-optical converter,

wherein the send-site receptacle/alignment module is, in an essentially form-fit or force-fit manner, incorporated in a recess provided in a send-site substrate,

wherein the recess extends from an upper portion of the send-site substrate to a lower portion of the send-site substrate and exposes a lateral portion of the send-site substrate therebetween,

wherein the send-site receptacle/alignment module comprises an alignment part extending in an axial direction of the waveguide,

wherein the alignment part comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lateral portion therebetween, and

wherein the at least one groove- or trough-shaped depression is formed in the lateral portion of the alignment part so as to face the lateral portion of the send-site substrate.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is, relative to its cross section, incorporated at least partially into the depression.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the depression

has a V-shaped design.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the send-site receptacle/alignment module for receiving the electro-optical converter comprises a receiving part that extends transverse to the axial direction of the waveguide.

5. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein an end of the send-site receptacle/alignment module facing away from the electro-optical converter essentially abuts flush against a front face of the send-site substrate, or

wherein a height of the send-site receptacle/alignment module essentially abuts flush against a height of the send-site substrate.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the send-site receptacle/alignment module

is made out of an optically transparent medium, or

comprises at least one outlet provided between the electro-optical converter and the waveguide for the optical signals.

7. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the send-site substrate comprises at least one contact or

wherein the send-site receptacle/alignment module comprises at least one contact,

for connecting the electro-optical converter, wherein the contact of the send-site substrate is allocated to the contact of the send-site receptacle/alignment module.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the send-site circuit

is essentially arranged in a plane of the send-site substrate comprising the send-site terminal contacts, or

is embedded in the send-site substrate.

9. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the electro-optical converter is at least one laser, or

wherein the send-site circuit is at least one application-specific integrated circuit or at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

10. Use of at least one device according to claim 1 for forming at least one active optical cable.

11. A device for decoupling optical signals from at least one waveguide, wherein the device comprises:

at least one opto-electrical converter; and

at least one receive-site circuit,

wherein the opto-electrical converter receives the optical signals from the direction of an axis of the waveguide, and transmits them as electrical signals to the receive-site circuit, which processes the incoming electrical signals and outputs them to receive-site terminal contacts,

wherein the opto-electrical converter is incorporated in at least one receive-site receptacle/alignment module,

wherein the receive-site receptacle/alignment module comprises at least one groove- or trough-shaped depression for aligning the waveguide in relation to the opto-electrical converter,

wherein the receive-site receptacle/alignment module is, in an essentially form-fit or force-fit manner, incorporated in a recess provided in a receive-site substrate,

wherein the recess extends from an upper portion of the receive-site substrate to a lower portion of the receive-site substrate and exposes a lateral portion of the receive-site substrate therebetween,

wherein the receive-site receptacle/alignment module comprises an alignment part extending in an axial direction of the waveguide,

wherein the alignment part comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lateral portion therebetween, and

wherein the at least one groove- or trough-shaped depression is formed in the lateral portion of the alignment part so as to face the lateral portion of the receive-site substrate.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the waveguide is, relative to its cross section, incorporated at least partially into the depression.

13. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the depression

has a V-shaped design.

14. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the receive-site receptacle/alignment module for receiving the opto-electrical converter comprises a receiving part that extends transverse to the axial direction of the waveguide.

15. The device according to claim 11 ,

wherein an end of the receive-site receptacle/alignment module facing away from the opto-electrical converter essentially abuts flush against a front face of the receive-site substrate, or

wherein a height of the receive-site receptacle/alignment module essentially abuts flush against a height of the receive-site substrate.

16. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the receive-site receptacle/alignment module

is made out of an optically transparent medium, or

comprises at least one outlet provided between the opto-electrical converter and the waveguide for the optical signals.

17. The device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the receive-site substrate comprises at least one contact or

wherein the receive-site receptacle/alignment module comprises at least one contact,

for connecting the opto-electrical converter, wherein the contact of the receive-site substrate is allocated to the contact of the receive-site receptacle/alignment module.

18. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the receive-site circuit

is essentially arranged in a plane of the receive-site substrate comprising the receive-site terminal contacts or

is embedded in the receive-site substrate.

19. The device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the opto-electrical converter is at least one diode, or

wherein the receive-site circuit is at least one application-specific integrated circuit or at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

20. Use of at least one device according to claim 11 for forming at least one active optical cable.