Methods and systems for performing vision-aided passive alignment during the assembly of an optical communications module

摘要

Vision-aided passive alignment systems and methods are provided that detect tilt misalignment of an optics system during the process of mounting the optics system on an upper surface of the circuit board and remove tilt misalignment to ensure that a lens of the optics system is precisely aligned with an optoelectronic device mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board.

主权项

1. A method for performing vision-aided passive alignment during a mounting process, the method comprising:
with a light source, illuminating an optics system with light; with an image capture system, capturing at least one image of the optics system, wherein the optics system has a first fiducial feature disposed on an upper surface and a second fiducial feature disposed on a lower surface; using said at least one image to identify at least one of a first spatial relationship that exists between the first and second fiducial features when the lower surface of the optics system lies in a plane that is parallel to an X-Y plane of an X, Y, Z Cartesian coordinate system or a second spatial relationship that exists between the first and second fiducial features when the lower surface of the optics system lies in a plane that is not parallel to the X-Y plane of the Cartesian coordinate system; with a computer performing a passive-alignment algorithm to generate, when the second spatial relationship exists, at least one control signal corresponding to a tilt misalignment adjustment; and with a positioning system, receiving said at least one control signal and adjusting an orientation of the optics system based on said at least one control signal to eliminate or at least reduce a tilt misalignment of the optics system relative to a mounting surface upon which the optics system is mounted.