US Patent 11184085 Electro-optical interconnect assembly with integral tampering protection

An electro-optical (EO) interconnect assembly includes an optical fiber, and first and second EO transceivers. The first and second EO transceivers, which are coupled to respective ends of the optical fiber, are configured to (i) connect to respective first and second network devices, (ii) exchange electrical signals with the first and second network devices, (iii) convert between the electrical signals and optical signals, and exchange the optical signals with one another over the optical fiber, and (iv) conduct with one another, over the optical fiber, a secure challenge-response transaction, and to initiate a responsive action upon failure of the challenge-response transaction.