Development of a household high-definition video transmission system based on ballpoint-pen technology: A low cost, easily deployed optical connection using a ballpoint-pen type interconnect

High quality video formats beyond HDTV are being developed, but these formats require data communication rates greater than 10 Gbps, which are not easily adaptable to household applications. Moreover, household usage requires ease of handling, robustness against poor connectivity, and affordable cost. Conventional silica optical fibers are not suitable for applications that involve high-speed, short-range communication, because of their fragility, and difficulty in achieving precise connectivity with a low cost connecting method. We proposed a novel expanded-beam interconnect using a graded-index plastic optical fiber (GI POF) with a glass spherical collimator lens uniquely fabricated by low cost ballpoint-pen technologies at both ends. Our power budget evaluation verified its suitability for consumer applications. Successful validation was then conducted by transmitting 4K-3D uncompressed video content.