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impaginato corretto fullone_Layout 1 13/10/15 12.10 Pagina 87 Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Title Improvements in the optical interconnection Improvements the in interconnection optical systems between signal switching circuit boards. systems between signal switching circuit boards. Ref. CNR 10276 Ref. CNR 10276 Assignee(s): CNR CNR Institute: ITIA Main Inventor: Vito Basile Countries: EP, PCT Priority date: 26/06/2013 Abstract Abstract The present invention refers to an optical interconnection circuit for backplane in high capacity ICT The present invention refers to an optical interconnection circuit for backplane in high capacity ICT apparatus and related automatic assembly method. The solution is based on a planar (on the backplane or apparatus and related automatic assembly method. The solution is based on a planar (on the backplane or on a close parallel plane) development of the fiber optics ribbon paths inside a mechanical support on a close parallel plane) development of the fiber optics ribbon paths inside a mechanical support (frame) and a controlled deformation of the optical fibers thanks to mechanical constrains embedded into (frame) and a controlled deformation of the optical fibers thanks to mechanical constrains embedded into the frame. The optical fibers ribbons are general purpose and available and all connectors are the frame. The optical fibers ribbons are general purpose and available and all connectors are standardized. The overall optical interconnection circuits are partialized into N independent circuits, each standardized. The overall optical interconnection circuits are partialized into N independent circuits, each of which connects all cards mounted on the backplane. This partition has considerable advantages in of which connects all cards mounted on the backplane. This partition has considerable advantages in terms of ease of maintenance (time and cost reduction). In the Tx-Rx connection, optical fibers are not terms of ease of maintenance (time and cost reduction). In the Tx Rx connection, optical fibers are not splitted and they always remains inside a ribbon. splitted and they always remains inside a ribbon. Background Background The state of the art consists of external optical circuits. These circuits are made in two types: Flexible circuits The state of the art consists of external optical circuits. These circuits are made in two types: Flexible circuits (optical fibers are placed on a flexible substrate) or Stiff circuits (optical fibers are assembled inside a stiff (optical fibers are placed on a flexible substrate) or Stiff circuits (optical fibers are assembled inside a stiff housing). In all cases, starting from Tx connectors, all optical fibers of each ribbon must be splitted and housing). In all cases, starting from Tx connectors, all optical fibers of each ribbon must be splitted and routed to the Rx connectors. Each backplane optical circuit is a monolithic object. routed to the Rx connectors. Each backplane optical circuit is a monolithic object. Technology Technology The solution is based on controlled deformations of the optical fiber ribbons, using an optimized layout The solution is based on controlled deformations of the optical fiber ribbons, using an optimized layout and special components as fibers support and protection (frame). These frames have been designed with and special components as fibers support and protection (frame). These frames have been designed with constrains (pins, boundary walls, etc) that enforce the ribbons to take an optimized position. Fully constrains (pins, boundary walls, etc) that enforce the ribbons to take an optimized position. Fully automatized assembly technologies, based on automatic vision systems, robotics, industrial automation, automatized assembly technologies, based on automatic vision systems, robotics, industrial automation, are used for the circuit assembly. are used for the circuit assembly. Advantages and Applicatons Advantages and Applications The invention finds application on high capacity ICT apparatus, in particular for switching stations and The invention finds application on high capacity ICT apparatus, in particular for switching stations and distribution network. Moreover the assembly method can be applied to other sectors. distribution network. Moreover the assembly method can be applied to other sectors. Advantages: size reduction compared to the state of the art; more effective production process; modular Advantages: size reduction compared to the state of the art; more effective production process; modular backplanes; more efficient and cheaper system maintenance; use of commercial optical fibers; IP protection. backplanes; more efficient and cheaper system maintenance; use of commercial optical fibers; IP protection. Development stage Development stage The optical interconnection circuit development and prototyping have been completed. The prototypes The optical interconnection circuit development and prototyping have been completed. The prototypes have successfully passed optical tests and the final functional tests are early planned. Optical circuits have successfully passed optical tests and the final functional tests are early planned. Optical circuits production have been studied and manufacturing technologies and related costs have been evaluated. The production have been studied and manufacturing technologies and related costs have been evaluated. The 87 robotic assembly cell design is in progress. robotic assembly cell design is in progress.