Connecting Different Types of Fiber Optic Cables with an Adapter
This patent describes a special adapter that smoothly connects a traditional solid core optical fiber to a newer hollow core optical fiber by carefully changing the light's beam size as it passes between them.
Original patent title: “Optical waveguide adapter assembly”
This patent describes a special adapter that smoothly connects a traditional solid core optical fiber to a newer hollow core optical fiber by carefully changing the light's beam size as it passes between them. Granted to Microsoft Technology Licensing in 2026 with 23 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2044.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details an optical waveguide adapter assembly designed to link two different types of fiber optic cables: a solid core optical waveguide and a hollow core optical waveguide. The core idea is an "optical mode field adapter" that sits between them. This adapter has a waveguiding core whose shape or refractive index property changes the "optical mode field size" of the light signal. Specifically, it transitions the light's beam size from the "first optical mode field size" of the solid core waveguide to the "second optical mode field size" of the hollow core waveguide (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). This ensures the light signal travels efficiently without significant loss when moving from one fiber type to the other. For instance, if a data center uses traditional silica fibers for short runs but wants to use faster hollow core fibers for longer distances, this adapter would allow a seamless connection.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover connecting two solid core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
- Does not cover connecting two hollow core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
- Does not cover an adapter that connects different fiber types without actively changing the optical mode field size.
- Does not cover systems that exclusively use either solid core or hollow core optical waveguides, but not both.
- Does not cover optical connections where the mode field adapter is not directly joined to both the solid and hollow core waveguides as specified in ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the optical mode field adapter's ability to precisely change the optical mode field size of the light signal. This smooth transition, either through shaping the core or adjusting its refractive index, minimizes signal loss when connecting two fundamentally different types of optical waveguides, which typically have incompatible light-guiding characteristics.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
High-speed data center interconnects
Telecommunications backbone networks
Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks upgrading to advanced fiber types
Specialized industrial sensing applications using mixed fiber types
Research and development labs testing new fiber optic technologies
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Connecting different types of optical fibers, especially newer hollow core fibers, to existing infrastructure is a technical challenge. Hollow core fibers can transmit data faster and with less latency, but their light-guiding properties are different from standard solid core fibers. This adapter allows for efficient integration, potentially enabling upgrades to existing fiber networks without a complete overhaul. It's crucial for industries looking to leverage the benefits of hollow core technology while maintaining compatibility with current systems.
Filed
March 5, 2024
Granted
January 6, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is actively involved in cloud computing and data center infrastructure, where high-speed, low-latency optical interconnects are critical. Companies like Lumenisity (acquired by Microsoft) are pioneers in hollow core fiber technology. Other major players in optical networking, such as Corning, Fujikura, and Sumitomo Electric, are also developing advanced fiber solutions and connection technologies that could benefit from or compete with this invention.
Market impact
This patent addresses a key challenge in integrating advanced hollow core fiber technology into existing optical networks. By providing an efficient way to connect solid and hollow core fibers, it could accelerate the adoption of hollow core fibers in data centers and telecommunications, potentially leading to faster and more energy-efficient data transmission. This could enable new product lines for fiber component manufacturers and impact how network architects design future high-bandwidth infrastructure.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details an optical waveguide adapter assembly designed to link two different types of fiber optic cables: a solid core optical waveguide and a hollow core optical waveguide. The core idea is an "optical mode field adapter" that sits between them. This adapter has a waveguiding core whose shape or refractive index property changes the "optical mode field size" of the light signal. Specifically, it transitions the light's beam size from the "first optical mode field size" of the solid core waveguide to the "second optical mode field size" of the hollow core waveguide (Claim 1). This ensures the light signal travels efficiently without significant loss when moving from one fiber type to the other. For instance, if a data center uses traditional silica fibers for short runs but wants to use faster hollow core fibers for longer distances, this adapter would allow a seamless connection.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the optical mode field adapter's ability to precisely change the optical mode field size of the light signal. This smooth transition, either through shaping the core or adjusting its refractive index, minimizes signal loss when connecting two fundamentally different types of optical waveguides, which typically have incompatible light-guiding characteristics.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover connecting two solid core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
- Does not cover connecting two hollow core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
- Does not cover an adapter that connects different fiber types without actively changing the optical mode field size.
- Does not cover systems that exclusively use either solid core or hollow core optical waveguides, but not both.
- Does not cover optical connections where the mode field adapter is not directly joined to both the solid and hollow core waveguides as specified in Claim 1.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$29K – $94K
Midpoint $59K · 17.4 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Harker, A. T., BAWN, S., & Fake, M. (2026). Connecting Different Types of Fiber Optic Cables with an Adapter (U.S. Patent No. 12,517,303). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12517303/optical-waveguide-adapter-assembly
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Connecting Different Types of Fiber Optic Cables with an Adapter cover?
This patent describes a special adapter that smoothly connects a traditional solid core optical fiber to a newer hollow core optical fiber by carefully changing the light's beam size as it passes between them.
Who owns patent US 12517303?
Microsoft Technology Licensing owns this patent, granted in 2026.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 5, 2044, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Connecting different types of optical fibers, especially newer hollow core fibers, to existing infrastructure is a technical challenge. Hollow core fibers can transmit data faster and with less latency, but their light-guiding properties are different from standard solid core fibers. This adapter allows for efficient integration, potentially enabling upgrades to existing fiber networks without a complete overhaul. It's crucial for industries looking to leverage the benefits of hollow core technology while maintaining compatibility with current systems.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover connecting two solid core optical waveguides without a mode field adapter.
Same assignee
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