High-capacity optical backplane based on automated assembled standard fiber ribbons

Abstract

A novel optical backplane relying on standard MM 12-fiber ribbons and MPO connectors is proposed for high-capacity ICT apparatus. A modular, scalable and full-mesh optical interconnection between optoelectronic boards is guaranteed thanks to an optimized fiber ribbon layout routing that divides the overall backplane into different and independent optical sub-circuits. The automated assembly of fiber ribbons into sub-circuits with a robotic work-cell is described. System validation of the optical backplane performed with commercial MM 12-fiber transceivers @10Gb/s proved the feasibility of the proposed solution for future optical interconnections with terabit overall capacity.