A transceiver module is adapted to be plugged into a port cage within a host system. The transceiver module includes transceiver electronics and a connector attached to the transceiver electronics. The transceiver electronics are sized to fit within the port cage. The connector includes a module portion and a connector jack attached to the module portion. The module portion is sized to fit along with the transceiver electronics within the port cage. The connector jack is sized with dimensions too big to fit within the port cage. The connector jack remains out of the port cage when the transceiver module is placed within the port cage. The connector jack occupies an area larger than an opening of the port cage.
|
18. A connector for use within transceiver module to be plugged into a port cage within a host system, the connector comprising:
a module portion that is sized to fit along with transceiver electronics within the port cage, and a connector jack attached to the module portion, the connector jack being sized with dimensions too big to fit within the port cage, the connector jack remaining out of the port cage when the transceiver module is placed within the port cage, the connector jack occupying an area larger than an opening of the port cage.
1. A transceiver module to be plugged into a port cage within a host system, the transceiver module comprising:
transceiver electronics, the transceiver electronics being sized to fit within the port cage; and, a connector attached to the transceiver electronics, the connector comprising: a module portion that is sized to fit along with the transceiver electronics within the port cage, and a connector jack attached to the module portion, the connector jack being sized with dimensions too big to fit within the port cage, the connector jack remaining out of the port cage when the transceiver module is placed within the port cage, the connector jack occupying an area larger than an opening of the port cage. 11. A transceiver module to be plugged into a port cage within a host system, the transceiver module comprising:
transceiver means for implementing a transceiver, the transceiver means being sized to fit within the port cage; and, a connector means for connecting a cable to the transceiver means, the connector means comprising: a module means for being placed along with the transceiver means within the port cage, and a jack means for receiving the cable, the jack means being sized with dimensions too big to fit within the port cage, the jack means remaining out of the port cage when the transceiver module is placed within the port cage, the jack means occupying an area larger than an opening of the port cage. 2. A transceiver module as in
3. A transceiver module as in
housing that covers the transceiver electronics, the housing including electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
4. A transceiver module as in
electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding over both the module portion and the connector jack.
6. A transceiver module as in
magnetic circuitry composed of a transformer, a common mode choke and a commode mode termination.
7. A transceiver module as in
a latching mechanism that secures the transceiver module to the port cage.
9. A connector as in
magnetic circuitry composed of a transformer, a common mode choke and a commode mode termination.
10. A connector as in
a latching mechanism that secures the transceiver module to the port cage.
12. A transceiver module as in
13. A transceiver module as in
housing means for covering the transceiver means, the housing including electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
14. A transceiver module as in
shielding means for providing electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding over both the module means and the jack means.
16. A transceiver module as in
magnetic circuitry composed of a transformer, a common mode choke and a commode mode termination.
17. A transceiver module as in
a latching means for securing the transceiver module to the port cage.
19. A connector as in
electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding over both the module portion and the connector jack.
|
The present invention pertains to networking systems and pertains particularly to a pluggable electrical transceiver module with a high density form factor.
Switches, routers and other networking devices often require many ports for connection to additional devices. The size and number of connectors for which ports are required can have an influence on size and shape of the network devices.
For example, switches that utilize the Gigabit Ethernet protocol can have 48, 60 or more ports. Within each port can be placed a transceiver module that includes a connector, printed circuit board (PCB) and housing. The transceiver module translates the data from a format suitable for the cable to a format suitable for the host system, and vice versa. Transceiver modules for use with fiber optic cable are known as "electro-optic transceiver modules". Electro-optic transceiver modules translate optical signals to electrical signals and vice-versa. Transceiver modules for use with electrical cable are known as "electrical transceiver modules". Electrical transceiver modules translate electrical signals from an electrical format suitable for electrical cable to another electrical format suitable for the host system, and vice versa. Typically, for the Gigabit Ethernet protocol, an electrical or optical cable with a suitable connector is used to connect to the switch, router or other network device.
Optical connectors that have a relatively narrow circumference, such as an MTRJ or LC optical connector, allow for network devices to have densely arranged ports. However, for switches that use electrical connectors that are larger in size, such as RJ 45 connectors, larger, less densely arranged ports have been required. This can result in network devices that require additional space to accommodate the bigger port size.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transceiver module is presented. The transceiver module is adapted to be plugged into a port cage within a host system. The transceiver module includes transceiver electronics and a connector attached to the transceiver electronics. The transceiver electronics are sized to fit within the port cage. The connector includes a module portion and a connector jack attached to the module portion. The module portion is sized to fit along with the transceiver electronics within the port cage. The connector jack is sized with dimensions too big to fit within the port cage. The connector jack remains out of the port cage when the transceiver module is placed within the port cage. The connector jack occupies an area larger than an opening of the port cage.
Electrical transceiver module 20 includes an opening 27 within an RJ-45 jack 21 into which a cable fits. For example, the cable is a category (CAT) 5 cable. Alternatively, the cable can be, for example, a category 3, 5e or 6 cable for Ethernet, fast Ethernet or gigabit Ethernet applications.
For example, electrical transceiver module 20 is a "small-form pluggable" transceiver. The small form-factor allows for a high density of transceivers, so a maximum number of modules can fit into a given system.
A portion 22 of electrical transceiver module 20 is placed within a port cage of the host system. A latching mechanism 23 secures electrical transceiver module 20 in the port cage. A delatch 24 is shown inserted within latching mechanism 23. RJ-45 jack 21 sticks out of the cage of the host system.
Module side 25 of connector 31 includes a 10-pin connector 26 for connection to PCB 33. Delatch 24 is shown removed from latching mechanism 23. PCB 33 implements a transceiver.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary methods and embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
Gallup, Kendra, Engel, Andy, Yun, Janet L.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
6074228, | Dec 18 1998 | Lumentum Operations LLC | Guide rail and CAM system with integrated connector for removable transceiver |
6335869, | Jan 20 2000 | Lumentum Operations LLC | Removable small form factor fiber optic transceiver module and electromagnetic radiation shield |
6430053, | Dec 13 2001 | STRATOS INTERNATIONAL, INC | Pluggable transceiver module having rotatable release and removal lever with living hinge |
6439918, | Oct 04 2001 | II-VI Incorporated; MARLOW INDUSTRIES, INC ; EPIWORKS, INC ; LIGHTSMYTH TECHNOLOGIES, INC ; KAILIGHT PHOTONICS, INC ; COADNA PHOTONICS, INC ; Optium Corporation; Finisar Corporation; II-VI OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC ; M CUBED TECHNOLOGIES, INC ; II-VI PHOTONICS US , INC ; II-VI DELAWARE, INC; II-VI OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES, INC ; PHOTOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC | Electronic module having an integrated latching mechanism |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 07 2002 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Apr 29 2006 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Oct 29 2006 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Apr 29 2007 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Apr 29 2009 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Apr 29 2010 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Oct 29 2010 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Apr 29 2011 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Apr 29 2013 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Apr 29 2014 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Oct 29 2014 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Apr 29 2015 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Apr 29 2017 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |