OPTICAL INTERCONNECT FOR SWITCH APPLICATIONS
A switch module includes a switch integrated circuit (IC), a silicon photonics chips, and an interface having removably coupled first side and second side. The first side includes a lens array optically coupled to a SiP chip and the second side includes a connector having a plurality of planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) optically coupled to another lens array.
1 . An optical connector for a silicon photonics chip, comprising:
a housing;
a plurality of lenses at least partially within the housing;
a plurality of planar lightwave circuits (PLCs), positioned at least partially within the housing, to pass light to or receive light from the lenses;
a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the PLCs.
2 . The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lenses are arranged in a plurality of linear arrays.
3 . The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lenses form a matrix.
4 . The optical connector of claim 1 , where the plurality of lenses provide part of an expanded beam connector.
5 . The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lenses are at a first opening of the housing.
6 . The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of PLCs include at least one optical multiplexer and at least one optical demultiplexer.
7 . The optical connector of claim 6 , wherein the optical multiplexer and the optical demultiplexer include arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs).
8 . The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein a first of the plurality of PLCs include an optical multiplexer and a second of the plurality of PLCs include an optical demultiplexer.
9 . The optical connector of claim 1 wherein the plurality of PLCs are positioned in parallel to one another.
10 . The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the housing is part of a cable.
11 .- 17 . (canceled)