About optical to electrical interface of the active optical cable, it can be realized by two technologies. Detail description about the two technologies as below.
The first is using silicon optical technology, also called complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process technology, where optical signals can be converted and transmitted by current. It uses an Edge Emitting Laser (EEL) current to be converted into a light source transmitting signal, it has to use a calibrated optical lens to aggregate and transmit optic with a wavelength of 1310nm near the component. EEL is made of wafe, which can transmit signals to the component layer and the exit side in parallel via the high refractive index difference between air and wafer materials.
The second technology is Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL). The technology uses a laser array to introduce outer electrons into a thin area to simulate quantum tunneling response, couples optical cables to transmit signals, and the generated current will be introduced to high reflectivity mirrors and Distributed Bragg Mirrors. Bragg Mirror can fix the signal in the medium and oscillate vertically in a vertical direction to the surface, so that light escapes to output opening surface only through the wrapped circular beam, forming a lower frequency reflection on the fiber wall
Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) has now become the preferred alternative due to its low cost, low power consumption and high performance. Its low-level current characteristic is conducive to the realization of high-density laser arrays, and the light is emitted in the vertical direction, small divergence angle and the circularly symmetrical far and near field distribution make it easy to couple fiber, no need complex and expensive beam shaping system.
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