SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING OPTICAL LAYERS IN A PCB FOR INTER-BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

摘要

Polymers of differing refraction indices are embedded within a PCB (14) to provide optical connectivity of the PCB (14) with other circuit boards via an optic backplane. The creation of islands of polymer material (12) of refractive index n1 completely surrounded by polymer material (16) with refractive index n2 where n1 has a higher index than n2 allows the islands of n1 indexed polymer to serve as optical waveguides. A process of forming a multi-layered PCB (14) with the optical waveguide islands using successive laminations and using laser ablation to write the optical connection scheme is taught. Further, the use of uniquely marked targets in a copper layer (10, 11) to align the optical waveguides in production is also taught. Additionally, the use of clearing polymer materials and reinforcing polymer voids with prepreg lamination to allow a simple, high tolerance insertion of through-holes is taught.