Opportunity
Demand for the inclusion of printed circuit boards (PCBs) capable of high-speed data transmission in electronic devices continues to increase. However, PCBs contain copper traces that can negatively affect transmission via signal loss, electromagnetic interference, and crosstalk. The inventors aimed to address this problem with their previous invention, a process of creating optical PCBs (OPCBs) containing embedded optical waveguides that is compatible with existing PCB manufacturing. The expansion of that process to commercial applications has been hindered by high production costs. Additionally, a complete OPCB requires a light-coupling solution to draw light into and emit it from the waveguides. Therefore, a low-cost method of producing waveguide-embedded OPCBs that is compatible with existing PCB manufacturing and enables highly precise tailoring of external connectors for light coupling is needed.
Technology
This invention is a process in which optical printed circuit boards (OPCBs) are equipped with an effective light-coupling solution. To achieve this, standard guide-holes and pins are added to the terminals of the embedded waveguides of the OPCBs during fabrication. In this three-step process, a rigid master that contains grooves for both the waveguide and guide-hole structures is fabricated initially. The master is then used to create a reusable mould for production, and finally OPCBs containing the guide-holes and pins are fabricated using the inventors’ previously patented method. The resulting OPCBs can be connected to existing commercial photonics components via standard connectors. This new methodology both solves the problem of light-coupling and has the potential for expansion to large-scale production.
Advantages
- Potential for low-cost mass production
- Compatible with existing PCB manufacturing
- Fabrication of OPCBs that can be directly coupled to existing photonics components with standard connectors
- Substantial reductions in connection costs
Applications
- Mass OPCB production potential
- Computer products
- High-speed data communication products
- Industry sectors in communications, computers, electronics
