Low-cost and high-performance hybrid WDM module integrated on a PLC platform for fiber-to-the-home

Recent progress on a low-cost and high-performance hybrid WDM module for fiber-to-the-home is presented. The low-cost module is achieved by employing a flip-chip bonding method with passive alignment using a spot-size converter integrated laser diode (SS-LD) and waveguide photodiodes (WGPDs) on a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) platform. It is clarified that the SS-LD and the WGPD provide high coupling efficiency and a tolerance large enough for passive alignment. To achieve receiver high-sensitivity, the module is designed to employ an asymmetric PLC Y-splitter that prefers the PD responsivity and to reduce the parasitic capacitance. Dynamic properties for a 50-Mb/s burst signal, such as instantaneous AGC response and a small APC deviation of the transceiver, are also demonstrated.