10-Gb/s palm-size optical transceiver/receiver set with novel cooling structure for WDM sub-Tb/s ATM switch system

We have developed compact 10-Gb/s optical transceiver and receiver modules for a WDM sub-Tb/s ATM switch system. Each module has a cooling part whose structure is based on a high-performance heat transfer device and micro-fans. Instead of a conventional radiation fin, a high-performance device is used to conduct heat from heat sources, such as a laser, to the fin inside the duct on the end of the module, where it is radiated by push-pull micro-fans. Because the conventional cooling structure based on straight fin occupies a larger volume, it is not suitable for high-density arrangement. Our cooling system achieved a heat resistance value of 1.8 °C/W, which was sufficient to stabilize the operation of the laser unit. This cooling structure enables a compact structure to handle high-density heat generation. The power dissipations of the TX and RX are 9.65 and 22.5 W, respectively. The TX and RX modules are the same size: 80×120×20 mm. Measurements show that these optical modules can operate stably without any additional cooling systems even in the switching unit.