Optical Receivers And Transmitters Integrated Into Electronic Digital Logic Circuits

The main reason for integrating optical receivers and transmitters into electronic data processing chips is to provide those chips with a high density of fast input/output (UO) ports for a high data throughput capability. To do such a task effectively, the optoelectronic circuits must be: 1) small, so they do not occupy an inordinate fraction of chip area; 2) low power dissipating, so they do not cumulatively add more thermal load than the VO ports they are replacing; 3) easily co-fabricated with the electronics for manufacturability; and 4) functionally compatible with the electronic circuits for direct interaction (any interface circuits therefore must be considered functionally part of the optoelectronic circuits).