Optical interconnect for switch applications

Abstract

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)