622 Mb/s/channel parallel digital optical receiver array module using hybrid packaging

Given the high data rates (>500 Mb/s) achievable in optical links using current device technologies, low cost packaging of transmitters and receivers plays a key role in rendering them viable for short-haul data communication networks. The authors report a 12 channel, fully digital, hybrid receiver module for a synchronous parallel optical datalink operating at 622 Mb/s/channel. The use of a multichip module (MCM) and the passive alignment of the MT-connectorized multimode ribbon fiber to the photodetector array resulted in a simple low cost packaging solution.