Parallel optical link (PAROLI) for multichannel gigabit rate interconnections

A 12-fiber unidirectional parallel optical link (PAROLI) with discrete Tx and Rx modules is presented with a total bandwidth exceeding 12 Gbit/s. The Tx and Rx module dimensions are 50 mm length, 18 mm width, and 10.5 mm height. The packages have 72 pins with 0.65 mm pitch in surface mount technology. The optical port is an MT-compatible 62.5 /spl mu/m core graded-index multimode fiber array connector which is locked by a clip and can be unlocked without special tools. The supply voltage is 3.3 V. The electrical signal interface is compatible to the Low Voltage Differential Signal Standard (LVDS, IEEE P1596-3 standard).