Eric Brent Grann

US Patent:

6396978, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Oct 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/693439

Inventors:

Eric B. Grann - San Ramon CA

Assignee:

Blaze Network Products, Inc. - Dublin CA

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 24, 385 74

Abstract:

A patterned opaque layer is applied between adjacent filters mounted on a common optical block surface in a wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer. The patterned opaque layer covers the optically transparent regions between adjacent filters mounted on the common surface of the optical block. The patterned opaque layer is also applied around the perimeter of the footprint of the array of filters mounted on the common surface of the optical block. The patterned opaque layer reduces cross-talk between the filters and reduces optical noise.

US Patent:

6563976, May 13, 2003

Filed:

May 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/568220

Inventors:

Eric B. Grann - San Ramon CA
Yung-Chieh Hsieh - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Blaze Network Products, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

G02B 6293

US Classification:

385 24, 385 33, 385 47, 359127

Abstract:

A cost-effective wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer for use in optical communication consists of three modules, including a fiber array, a lens array and a filter array/reflector. Each array is made in wafer level with very precise position control and is bonded to an adjacent wafer by conventional wafer bonding techniques. In addition to eliminating the need for active alignment in the manufacturing process of a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) transceiver, the invention reduces the footprint of such a device to the order of a few millimeters and the process is suitable for low-cost, large quantity manufacturing. The fiber array is connected to the light sources, which optimally are fiber pig-tailed semiconductor lasers to enable repeatable and accurate placement in reference to the lens array. The input lenses are used to collimate the beams such that light traveling from them at an angle will zigzag between the reflector and the bandpass filters of the filter array/reflector combination. In the multiplexer configuration, an output lens is used to focus and couple the beams from each different laser into a fiber.

US Patent:

6572278, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Mar 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/805513

Inventors:

Yung-Chieh Hsieh - San Jose CA
Eric B. Grann - San Ramon CA

Assignee:

Blaze Network Products, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385 88, 385137

Abstract:

An opto-electronic device is provided wherein an optical assembly having a first coefficient of thermal expansion is connected to a substrate having a second, different coefficient of thermal expansion. A plurality of stakes are either separately inserted or integrally formed-in the optical assembly and extend through and are adhesively bonded to passageways formed in the substrate. The stakes reduce or prevent differential thermal expansion that would otherwise occur as the device heats up during operation. The substrate may be thermally connected to a metallic housing for the device to increase transfer of unwanted heat into the ambient atmosphere.

US Patent:

6652161, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Mar 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/805514

Inventors:

Eric B. Grann - San Ramon CA
Kenneth R. Herrity - Milpitas CA

Assignee:

Blaze Network Products, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 93, 385 47, 385 88, 385 92

Abstract:

A low profile optical wavelength division multiplexer and/or demultiplexer is provided which is carried in a pluggable module and adapted for detachable connection to a host device. The device includes a three strata optical subassembly including a substrate, a molded plastic coupling module and an optical block either connected to or integrally formed with the molded coupling module. The device can be used with either horizontally or vertically pluggable modules. The device has one embodiment capable of mounting in a GBIC compliant module.

US Patent:

7198416, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Jan 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/044475

Inventors:

Curtis A. Ray - Alamo CA, US
Eric B. Grann - San Ramon CA, US
Brian C. Peters - Alamo CA, US

Assignee:

Omron Network Products, LLC - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

G02B 6/32
G02B 6/34
G02B 6/36

US Classification:

385 93, 385 88, 385 89, 385 92, 385 33, 385 36

Abstract:

An optical device for combining optical signals of different wavelengths is described wherein an array of laser output beams are collimated, directed to propagate along a similar path, and coupled into an optical fiber through a single molded part. The single-part optical coupling module can be constructed in various ways to achieve the desired configuration. One example is a single plastic-injection molded part, containing mechanical alignment features, an array of collimating lenses, and a focusing lens housed within a fiber optic connector ferrule. The laser output beams are separately passed through separate radial sectors of the focusing lens.

US Patent:

7272323, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Dec 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/726415

Inventors:

Eric B. Grann - San Ramon CA, US
Curtis A. Ray - Alamo CA, US
Todd Whitaker - Pleasanton CA, US
Michael J. Laha - Pleasanton CA, US
Brian Peters - Pleasanton CA, US

Assignee:

Omron Network Products, LLC - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H04B 10/04
H04B 10/06
H04B 10/14
H04B 10/24
H04J 14/02

US Classification:

398139, 398 5, 398 7, 398 79, 398 85, 398 91, 398135, 398200, 398201, 398214

Abstract:

A bi-directional (BiDi) electrical to optical converter (transceiver) module is described that contains means for communicating in a full duplex fashion over one fiber. Furthermore, an automatic fail-over capability is included which allows redundancy to be build in to the transceiver. In one configuration, a BiDi transceiver module contains two lasers at different wavelengths and a means for establishing which wavelength to communicate with. An example of an application for the described invention is a storage area network application which requires redundant links and are currently bound by the number of fibers connecting to the front panels of switches.

US Patent:

20020126951, Sep 12, 2002

Filed:

Mar 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/808666

Inventors:

Robert Sutherland - Los Gatos CA, US
James Sacks - Sunnyvale CA, US
Eric Grann - San Ramon CA, US
Kenneth Herrity - Milpitas CA, US
Jeffrey Griffis - Redwood City CA, US
Frank Jacobson - Antioch CA, US

International Classification:

G02B006/28
G02B006/42

US Classification:

385/024000, 385/088000

Abstract:

Optical to electrical and electrical to optical conversion assemblies provide precise and stable alignment, low loss, unperturbed electrical transmission and high thermal conductivity. Mechanically isolating the ceramic substrate of the conversion assembly relative to the surrounding structures enables good long-term optical alignment. Electrical transmission line connections to and from the optical conversion circuits on the ceramic substrates are made via flexible circuit board designs. The alignment of the components on the substrate relative to the plastic optics is thus preserved. The flexible circuit board includes a cross hatched ground layer, which relieves portions of the metallization below the signal layer and yet is able to maintain the desired transmission line properties. Electrical to optical conversion circuits are provided where the transmission of the electrical signals to the converter circuits is accomplished with minimal loss and with good signal integrity.

US Patent:

20030215240, Nov 20, 2003

Filed:

Mar 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/395474

Inventors:

Eric Grann - San Ramon CA, US
Curtis Ray - Alamo CA, US
Scott Fluegal - San Ramon CA, US

International Classification:

H04J014/02

US Classification:

398/085000

Abstract:

A low profile, optical WDM is provided having a single mode tolerance. To accomplish the low profile aspect, laser-to-fiber connections are utilized, eliminating most of the fiber-to-fiber connections required by the prior art. Reduction of fiber-to-fiber connections facilitates the downsizing of the device without the risk of breaking fibers. The single mode tolerance is achieved by the use of canned lasers together with a precision optical block. A 4 channel embodiment can be packaged in a module less than 5 mm thick, less than 20 mm wide and less than 25 mm in length.