초록

An optical coupling assembly having an optical receiver that exhibits extended dynamic range, and, more particularly, an optical receiver that is integrated with a Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) to extend the dynamic range of the receiver.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An optical coupling assembly comprising: an optical waveguide for transmitting light having an optical axis extending therethrough, said optical waveguide having an output end at en angle to the optical axis of between 10째 and 50째 for refracting an optical beam at a deflection angle re

We claim: 1. An optical coupling assembly comprising: an optical waveguide for transmitting light having an optical axis extending therethrough, said optical waveguide having an output end at en angle to the optical axis of between 10째 and 50째 for refracting an optical beam at a deflection angle relative to the optical axis; and a photodetector having an absorption layer for receiving the optical beam at an angle of incidence of between 45째 and 90째, thereby increasing an optical path length of the optical beam propagating through the absorption layer. 2. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the optical axis is substantially perpendicular to an axis normal to the absorption layer of the photodetector. 3. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the optical beam is transmitted through a facet of the photodetector, the facet being perpendicular to the absorption layer. 4. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the angle of incidence is between 60째 and 85째. 5. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the angle of incidence is between 75째 and 85째. 6. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an optical attenuator for selectively blocking a percentage of light, which exits the output end. 7. The assembly in accordance with claim 6, further comprising an aperture for spatially filtering light diffracted by said optical attenuator. 8. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a lens for directing the optical beam onto the absorption layer. 9. The assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the lens is positioned whereby a beam waist of the optical beam is positioned in the vicinity of the absorptive layer. 10. The assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the lens directs the optical beam through a facet of the photodetector, the facet being perpendicular to the absorption layer. 11. The assembly in accordance with claim 8, further comprising an optical attenuator for selectively blocking a percentage of light, which exits the output end. 12. The assembly in accordance with claim 11, further comprising an aperture between said lens and said absorptive layer for spatially filtering light diffracted by said optical attenuator.