FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to optoelectronic systems, and particularly to methods and systems for improving safety and serviceability of optoelectronic systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical communication systems may comprise various designs of electro-optical modules.

For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0010552 describes a Z-pluggable optical communications module (OCM) that contains multiple parallel OCMs (POCMs) and that is configured to be removably plugged into an opening formed in a panel of an optical communications system.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016/0018608 describes an optical communications module including a receptacle with a stop member. The receptacle has a keyway and a latchway. The keyway is configured to receive and guide a body of the connector plug in a direction along a keyway axis. The latchway is defined by a total flexure range of the flexible latch arm between a fully flexed state and a fully relaxed state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention that is described herein provides a laser module including one or more connectors and a laser source. The one or more connectors are configured to receive electrical power from, and to output a light beam to, a panel of a system. The laser source is configured to (i) be powered by the electrical power, and (ii) produce the light beam using the electrical power. The one or more connectors and the laser source are detachable from the panel, and when detached from the panel, the laser source is not powered by the electrical power.

In some embodiments, the one or more connectors are mounted on a same edge of a substrate. In other embodiments, the same edge, on which the one or more connectors are mounted, is a rear edge that faces the system, and the substrate has a front edge, which is opposite the rear edge and faces an operator of the system. In yet other embodiments, the one or more connectors include an electrical connector and an optical connector, which are mounted side-by-side along the same edge.

In an embodiment, the laser module includes at least one of: (i) an electrical trace connecting between the electrical connector and the laser source, and (ii) an optical guide connecting between the laser source and the optical connector. In another embodiment, the optical guide includes at least one of (i) an optical fiber and (ii) an optical waveguide. In yet another embodiment, the system includes a network switch, and the one or more connectors are configured to be plugged into the panel and to output the laser beam to the panel of the network switch.

In some embodiments, the one or more connectors are mounted on different edges of a substrate. In other embodiments, the one or more connectors are mounted on opposing edges of a substrate. In yet other embodiments, the one or more connectors are mounted on a substrate, and are configured to be positioned within a chassis of the system when the substrate is plugged into the panel.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing a laser module, the method includes mounting, on a substrate, one or more connectors for receiving electrical power from, and outputting a light beam to, a panel of a system. A laser source (i) being powered by the electrical power, and (ii) produces the light beam using the electrical power, is mounted on the substrate. The one or more connectors and the laser are detachable from the panel, and when detached from the panel, the laser source is not powered.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system including a laser module and one or more optical transceivers. The laser module includes one or more connectors and a laser source. The one or more connectors are configured to receive electrical power from, and to output a light beam to, a panel of a system. The laser source is configured to (i) be powered by the electrical power, and (ii) produce the light beam using the electrical power. The one or more connectors and the laser source are detachable from the panel, and when detached from the panel, the laser source is not powered by the electrical power. The one or more optical transceivers are configured to modulate the light beam received from the laser module, by applying an electrical signal onto the light beam.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which:

