Methods and Systems for Co-packaged Optics

By isolating the light source and using a comb laser with micro-ring modulators and resonators, the reliability and efficiency of optical switches are enhanced, reducing failure rates and maintenance costs while maintaining high-speed data transfer.

JP2026519642APending Publication Date: 2026-06-17ニューフォトニクス リミテッド

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
ニューフォトニクス リミテッド
Filing Date
2023-05-30
Publication Date
2026-06-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Laser sources in optical switches are less reliable, leading to increased failure rates, downtime, and maintenance costs, which hinder the implementation of high-speed optical copackages.

Method used

Isolate the light source from the optical switch by using a comb laser as an external component, coupled with micro-ring modulators and resonators for bidirectional communication, and utilize a microcontroller unit for precise wavelength tuning.

Benefits of technology

This configuration reduces switch failure rates, lowers downtime, and decreases maintenance costs while enabling high-speed data transfer with a lower footprint.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A communication system is described comprising: a transmitter having a first optical module, the first optical module comprising a plurality of micro-ring modulators (MRMs); a receiver having a second optical module, the second optical module comprising a plurality of micro-ring resonators (MRRs), the first optical module and the second optical module connected by an optical waveguide; and at least one comb laser outside an optical copackage comprising the transmitter or receiver, the at least one comb laser illuminating an optical waveguide and the at least one comb laser emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, wherein at least one first MRM and at least one first MRR are tuned to operate at at least one first wavelength from a plurality of wavelengths, and at least one second MRM and at least one second MRR are tuned to operate at at least one second wavelength from a plurality of wavelengths.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to photonic systems, and more particularly to photonic devices, including co-packaged optics (COPPORTS) embedded devices and / or co-packaged embedded devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Photonics is the physical science of generating, detecting, and manipulating light (photons) through emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, and sensing.

[0003] Photonic systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in all fields, though not limited to, including light detection, telecommunications, information processing, photonic computing, lighting, metrology, spectroscopy, holography, medicine (surgery, vision correction, endoscopy, health monitoring), biophotonics, military technology, laser material processing, art diagnostics, materials processing, art diagnostics with infrared reflectography (X-ray, ultraviolet fluorescence, XRF), agriculture, and robotics.

[0004] Some important applications of photonic systems include transmitting and receiving information, and multiplexing and demultiplexing information. Photonic devices may include, but are not limited to, photodetectors including photodiodes or phototransistors, laser diodes, optical modulators, passive optical components, light-emitting diodes, solar cells and photovoltaic cells, displays, and optical amplifiers. Other examples include devices for modulating light beams, and for combining and separating light beams of different wavelengths.

[0005] The need for photonic devices arises from the limitations and constraints of electronic devices. The first limitation is due to the saturation of electronic speed with respect to the rate of information transfer. The second limitation arises from the high power consumption of electronic devices, and therefore from the heat generated, and the footprint and cost of heat dissipation. The use of photonic devices provides higher rates with little to no heating, and therefore solves or facilitates these problems. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 146,659 [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Co-packaged optics are based on optical communications, optical signal and data processing capabilities, and integration with switch chips, inter-chip communications, or other silicon CMOS analog and digital devices.

[0008] An optical switch is a multi-port network bridge that connects multiple waveguides, such as optical fibers, to each other and controls data packet routing between inputs and outputs. Generally, an optical switch switches or modulates optical signals according to electrical input signals.

[0009] Optical switches can be implemented as co-packaged optics, located within the same packaged electronic integrated circuit (EIC) and photonic integrated circuit (PIC). Optical fibers and communications can be used between switches to connect them, or within switches to connect elements within switches.

[0010] The subject matter disclosed will be better understood and recognized from the following detailed description, accompanied by drawings, where corresponding or similar numbers or letters indicate corresponding or similar components. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating inter-switch communication and intra-switch communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] This is a schematic diagram of a micro-ring modulator (MRM) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] This is a schematic diagram of a segmented micro-ring modulator (SMRM) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] This is a schematic diagram of a micro-ring resonator (MRR) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2D] This is a schematic diagram of the data and control interface of an MRM according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2E] This is a schematic diagram of the MRR data and control interface according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2F] This diagram shows a schematic representation of end-to-end downlink communication in a transmitter and receiver system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of inter-switch optical communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of inter-switch optical communication, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]Schematic diagram of another embodiment of optical communication between switches according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of another transmitter using all-optical multiplexing according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of an embodiment of optical communication within a switch according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram of another embodiment of optical communication within a switch according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of a device for controlling the output of the CCom laser 326 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] Schematic diagram of a device for ensuring continuous operation of the CCom laser according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] Flowchart of a method for adjusting an MRM to a required wavelength according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] Flowchart of a method for adjusting an MRR to a required wavelength according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] For example, a switch in a data center is a multi-port network bridge. Each such port requires a transceiver to communicate with an external electronic circuit. Some transceivers are pluggable. The higher the transfer rate required from the switch, the more transceivers are required. However, the analog lines connected to the transceivers take up a significant amount of the silicon area of the switch and generate a significant amount of heat. Therefore, the current trend is to integrate silicon transceivers into the switch itself for connection between waveguides such as optical fibers and electronic components.

[0013] An optical switch requires a light source to produce light, and therefore, that light is modulated to reflect the input electrical signal. The light source is typically a laser source built into the optical switch.

[0014] One technical issue addressed by this disclosure is that laser sources are less reliable components in the context of copackaged optics. For example, switches use multiple lasers, which are expensive and have a significantly higher failure rate than other components of the switch. A failure of a laser source renders the switch unusable, and therefore having lasers as an integral part of the switch increases the unit's downtime and maintenance costs. Moreover, if the switch has multiple laser sources, the switch's failure rate, downtime, and repair costs increase even further. Thus, having switches with one or more laser sources represents a considerable hurdle and bottleneck to implementing reliable optical copackages that provide high transfer rates.

[0015] One technical solution of this disclosure is to isolate the light source from the copacked system, i.e., to create a light source outside the switch. This isolation provides the removal of less reliable components from the copacked system, e.g., the switch, thereby reducing the switch failure rate and, overall, lowering system downtime and maintenance costs.

[0016] In some embodiments, the light source may be a comb laser, which emits multiple wavelengths. These wavelengths may be equidistant. For example, a comb laser may output 8 to 64 wavelengths, depending on the number of ports and internal communication channels required.

[0017] Multiple wavelengths can be used in several ways. For example, some wavelengths may be used for the downlink channel, and others for the uplink channel. In other embodiments, different polarizations of light may be used, and in further embodiments, power splitting may be used.

[0018] Using a comb laser source rather than multiple separate laser sources such as a laser array provides higher precision. A comb laser provides light emission characterized by narrow, equally spaced optical lines that have substantially the same intensity, relatively low phase noise and mode distribution noise, and corresponding light behavior at all wavelengths. For example, if there is a shift in the laser spectrum due to temperature or other environmental parameters, all wavelengths are shifted in the same direction. Additional advantages include the lower footprint of comb lasers and the fact that light at different wavelengths does not need to be merged because it comes from a single source.

[0019] The comb laser, as detailed below, is used with multiple micro-ring modulators (MRMs) for transmission and corresponding multiple micro-ring resonators (MRRs) for reception, thus enabling bidirectional communication at high transfer rates with a low footprint.

[0020] As an addition or alternative, a comb laser may be used with multiple MRMs or segmented MRMs for simultaneous modulation format conversion and signal transmission.

[0021] Another technical solution of this disclosure relates to the transmitter and receiver tuning the wavelength of each MRM along with the corresponding MRR so that they actually operate at one of the wavelengths of the comb laser to provide the required output. The MRM and MRR may be tuned by adjusting their working temperatures according to their respective wavelengths using a predetermined training sequence, pilot signals, etc.

[0022] Components within and outside the device may be controlled by a microcontroller unit (MCU) responsible for, for example, adjusting heater control so that components such as MRMs can lock on to specific wavelengths by observing the MRM's drop output; adjusting heater control so that the MRR locks on to specific wavelengths by inspecting the output of a photodiode receiving the MRR's output; sending training and / or pilot sequence signals to be modulated on the MRM when used as a transmitter; detecting and restoring the training or pilot sequence on the MRR when used as a receiver; and modifying the training and / or pilot sequence signals if they are not received correctly.

[0023] The MCU can be located outside or inside the copackage optics. If the MCU is inside the package and integrated into the silicon, it can be connected to the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) by wire bonds, flip chips, interposers, etc. The MCU can also be mounted on the same die as the optical components of the PIC.

[0024] One technical effect of this disclosure is to provide an optical copackage, which is durable and therefore has low downtime and high usability because less reliable components are made on its exterior.

[0025] Another technical effect of this disclosure relates to providing a high transfer rate for the unit, which is made possible by using a comb laser that emits multiple wavelengths as an external laser source.

[0026] This disclosure, as described below, and especially Figures 1 and 3-8, focuses on switches, but it will be recognized that it is not limited to switches. Rather, this disclosure is applicable, but is not limited to, any optical copackage requiring connectivity between a network and devices outside the network, including switches, inter-chip communications, etc. The optical copackage can be implemented as any integrated photonic device, including, but is not limited to, silicon, silicon nitride, silicon-on-insulator, etc. The optical waveguides within the device can be implemented as optical fibers, silicon, silicon oxide waveguides, etc.

[0027] This disclosure will be recognized as relating to communication between different copackages within an optical copackage. For example, this disclosure is applicable to inter-switch and intra-switch implementations.

[0028] Next, refer to Figure 1, which shows schematic diagrams illustrating inter-switch communication and intra-switch communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Each of switches 1(100) and 2(104) may be an optical switch and therefore may comprise one or more optical modules 108, 108' and one or more electrical modules 112. It will be recognized that these electrical modules 112 may be equivalent or different, as may be the case with respect to the optical modules 108, 108'. Each of switches 100, 104 may receive an electrical input 128 and an optical input 132. The optical input may be received on an optical waveguide 132 that receives light from an external source between switches 1(100) and 2(104), such as one or more comb lasers 116.

[0030] Either switch 1(100) or switch 2(104) can be implemented as an integrated photonic device, but not limited to silicon, silicon nitride, or silicon-on-insulator. Optical waveguides within and between devices can be implemented as optical fibers, silicon or silicon oxide waveguides, etc.

[0031] The comb laser 116 can be implemented as a comb laser for, for example, the O-band (1270-1360 nm) or the C-band (1530-1565 nm), or any other optical band defined by standards, capable of outputting, for example, 8-32 wavelengths. Optionally, the wavelengths used may be equidistant within that range.

[0032] Including the external comb laser 116, this disclosure may be applicable to intra-switch communication, i.e., communication within a switch, for example, communication 120 between optical module 108 and optical module 108'. However, this disclosure is also applicable to inter-switch communication, i.e., communication 124 between switch 2 (104) and switch 1 (100). Although communication 124 appears to be unidirectional, it will be recognized that it can also be bidirectional.

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 2A, which shows a schematic diagram of a micro-ring modulator (MRM) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] The MRM200 shown in Figure 2A comprises a ring 204, a bus 208, and a drop waveguide 210. The ring waveguide 204 is doped, for example, to form a transverse PN junction. When the PN junction is reverse-biased, a local change is induced in the refractive index of the optical ring 204, thereby induced in the phase of the light passing through waveguides 208 and 210. This phase change causes constructive or cancelout interference in the bus waveguide 208. The ring 204 has an outer circumference divided by its wavelength, which is an integer, i.e.,

number

[0035] Therefore, the MRM200 receives an electrical data signal 220 and an electrical control signal 216, outputs a temperature detection signal (also indicated as 216) and an electrical output, which becomes the electrical control output 228 after passing through a photodetector (PD) 224.

[0036] Next, refer to Figure 2B, which shows a schematic diagram of a segmented MRM (SMRM) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] The optical components of the SMRM, namely the optical waveguide 208 and the ring 204, are the same as those of the MRM. However, the PN junction around the ring is split into two segments such that one segment is larger than the other by a certain ratio. Thus, P is split into P1207 and P2205, and N is split into N1211 and N2209, with P1207 and N1211 being larger than P2205 and N2209. When no bias voltage is applied to the PN junction segments, logic "0" is applied to both modulation inputs, and no phase shift occurs in the ring, which is the first symbolic state of 00. When a bias voltage is applied to the shorter segment but not to the longer segment, a small phase shift occurs in the ring, which creates the second symbolic state of 01. When voltage is applied to the long segment but not to the short segment, a larger phase shift occurs in the ring, which implies symbol state 10, and when voltage is applied to both segments, the largest phase shift occurs in the ring, which is the fourth symbol state 11.

[0038] These four levels generate four-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM4) modulation in the ring using two synchronous on-off keying (OOK) bit inputs. Each input requires a driver to operate the relevant PN segment. This functionality can replace the need for digital signal processing for modulation format conversion, which is extremely power-intensive and can induce latency related to optical modulation format conversion based on SMRM.

[0039] Wherever MRM is mentioned in this disclosure, it should be recognized that this disclosure applies equally to SMRM.

[0040] Next, refer to Figure 2C, which shows a schematic diagram of a micro-ring resonator (MRR) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] The MRR202, in a similar configuration to the MRM200, comprises a ring 204, a heater 212, an optical waveguide 208, a waveguide 210, and a photodiode 224. The ring 204 outputs the relevant wavelength over the drop waveguide 210, which outputs the required wavelength, and the photodiode 224 converts it into an electrical signal.

[0042] Therefore, the MRR202 receives a modulated optical signal through the optical bus 208, receives an input electrical control signal 216, and outputs a temperature sensing and detected electrical output 218 (also indicated as 216).

[0043] Next, refer to Figure 2D, which shows an electro-to-optical converter comprising an MRM and its data and control interfaces, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] The electro-optical converter 240 may comprise an MRM 200 and an electric driver 244. An input electrical signal 220 is supplied to the electric driver 244. When the modulator receives the electrical signal, the amplitude may not be sufficient to modulate the light, and therefore the driver adjusts the voltage to the required value to activate the modulator. This signal is applied to the MRM 200, which converts the electrical data into the optical domain.

[0045] The MRM200 can also receive control inputs from the MCU252 and output the drop output 228 and the detected temperature to the MCU252. Communication with the MCU252 may be used to tune the MRM200 to the wavelength on which it is expected to operate.

[0046] Next, refer to Figure 2E, which shows the data and control interfaces of the MRR202 according to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0047] The optical-to-electrical converter 256 may include an MRR 202 that can resonate with light coming onto the bus 208 and provide electrical output data 218 to a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) 260 that amplifies the data.

[0048] The MRR202 may also receive a control input from the MCU252 and output the detected temperature to the MCU252 as part of tuning the MRR202 to the correct wavelength on which it is expected to operate.

[0049] Next, refer to Figure 2F, which shows schematic diagrams of end-to-end downlink communication in one or more optical copackaged systems, for example, transmitter and receiver systems comprising switches, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] The system receives input data from a data source on N downlink channels 252 and outputs the data to a destination on N channels 256.

[0051] Data received in any channel is supplied to the corresponding high-power driver amplifier 244 to provide the high-voltage electrical signal required to drive the optical modulator. The amplified signal is supplied to the MRM200, which operates at a given wavelength. The driver may also be integrated into the silicon or isolated from it.

[0052] The MRM200 receives light at M wavelengths from the comb laser 254 along the waveguide 208 and is modulated by M or fewer MRM200s, each operating at one of the wavelengths of the comb laser 254. In a copacked system, for example, to fully utilize the capabilities of the switch and support all required channels, the number of wavelengths emitted by the comb laser 254, denoted as M, should be greater than or equal to N. In some embodiments, M may be equal to N.

[0053] The modulated light travels along bus 208 to at least N MRR202, each of which resonates with light received from the corresponding MRM200 at the corresponding wavelength, then to the corresponding TIA260 and clock data recovery (CDR)264, and is output through N downlink channels 256.

[0054] Each MRM200 and each MRR202 is controlled by one or more MCU252s, which ensure that they both operate at the correct temperature and bias voltage, and therefore at the correct wavelength. The MCU252 can send control signals and receive detected temperatures. The MCU252 can also receive drop outputs from the MRM200s.

[0055] Although this system was described above in relation to the downlink channel, it will be recognized that a similar system may be capable of operating with the uplink channel.

[0056] Next, refer to Figure 3, which shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of inter-switch optical communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the downlink channel of the transmitter and the downlink channel of the receiver operate in a first plurality of wavelengths, and the uplink channel of the transmitter and the uplink channel of the receiver operate in a second plurality of wavelengths, and the first plurality of wavelengths and the second plurality of wavelengths do not have a common wavelength. For example, the first plurality of wavelengths are odd indices λ1, λ3, ... λ N (Assuming N is an even number) may have wavelengths with a second set of even indices λ2, λ4, ...λ N (It may have wavelengths with k. This interleaving method can increase the spacing between neighboring channels and reduce crosstalk between neighboring channels.)

[0057] Figure 3 shows, for example, a copacked optic system 300 (e.g., switch 1) and a copacked optic system 304 (e.g., switch 2), which may be part of a data center. The term "downlink" refers to receiving data transmitted from system 300 to system 304. The term "uplink" refers to data transmitted from system 304 to system 300. Since the communication is bidirectional, these terms can be used interchangeably for both copacked optic system 300 and copacked optic system 304.

[0058] Therefore, in the case of downlink, copacked optic system 300 (e.g., switch 1) is the transmitter and copacked optic system 304 (e.g., switch 2) is the receiver, and in the case of uplink, the reverse is true. The two switches are connected by an optical waveguide 328, for example, a fiber optic cable, which acts as a bus.

[0059] Switch 1 (300) comprises multiple MRM308 and MRR310. Each MRM308 is connected to a downlink channel from downlink channel 320, and each MRR310 is connected to an uplink channel from uplink channel 325. Switch 2 (304) comprises multiple MRM309 and MRR312. Each MRR312 is connected to a downlink channel from downlink channel 321, and each MRM309 is connected to an uplink channel from uplink channel 324.

[0060] Each of the copacked optic system 300 (e.g., switch 1) and the copacked optic system 304 (e.g., switch 2) may support a total of N channels, where N is equal to the number of wavelengths emitted by the comb laser 326 and also equal to the number of MRMs and MRRs in the copacked optic system (e.g., switch). In some embodiments, N may be even, and the number of MRMs and MRRs is N / 2. For simplicity, it is assumed that the downlink channels are odd-numbered channels, such as 1, 3...N-1, and the uplink channels are even-numbered channels, such as 2, 4...N.

[0061] The system comprises one or more comb lasers 326 that illuminate a waveguide 328 with light over M wavelengths, where M is equal to or greater than N. For simplicity, we assume N = M.

[0062] In downlink communication, data from each of the downlink channels 320 is λ1, λ3...λ N-1 This is applied to the MRM308 of the copacked optic system 300 (switch 1), which operates at one of the odd wavelengths irradiated by the comb laser 326. The light is modulated according to the wavelength of the MRM processing each channel. The light propagates on bus 328 to switch 2 (304), where it is received and resonated by the MRR312 of the copacked optic system 304 (switch 2), each operating at a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the MRM308, and output to one of the downlink output channels 321.

[0063] Similarly, when receiving uplink communication, the data from each of the uplink channels 324 is λ2, λ4...λ NThe light is received by one of the MRM309s of the copacked optic system 304 (e.g., switch 2), which operates at one of the even wavelengths irradiated by the comb laser 326. The light is modulated according to the operating wavelength of the MRM that processes each channel. The light is propagated on bus 328 to copacked optic system 300 (switch 1), where it is received and resonated by the MRR310s of copacked optic system 300 (e.g., switch 1), each operating at a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the MRM309, and output to one of the uplink output channels 325.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, a portion of the channel and wavelength, such as half, is used for downlink, and the remaining portion of the channel and wavelength is used for uplink.

[0065] All downlink channels 320, 321 and uplink channels 324, 325 may be connected to one or more microcontroller units (MCUs) 316. The MCU 316 may adjust the heater control to change the dimensions of the MRM so that the MRM captures the required wavelength. The MCU 316 may also control the MRM bias voltage and modulation depth to optimize communication channel performance, such as by extinction ratio, bit error rate (BER), and packet error rate (PER). To capture the wavelength, the MCU 316 may observe the drop output of the MRMs 308, 309. The MCU 316 may further adjust the heater control of the MRRs 310, 312 to capture the wavelength by inspecting the output of the photodiodes associated with the MRRs 310, 312. The MCU316 is also useful in transmitting training sequences and / or pilot signals to be modulated by the MRM308, 309 as part of the transmitter, and in detecting and restoring the training sequences or pilot signals in the MRR310, 312 as part of the receiver.

[0066] If there are multiple MCU316s, a handshake mechanism may be present to ensure that all of those MCU316s are coordinated to adjust the MRM and MRU in the corresponding manner.

[0067] The MCU316 may be located either outside or inside the copackage optics. If internal, the MCU316 may be connected to the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) by any connecting medium, such as wire bonds, flip chips, or interposers, and may be mounted on the same die as the PIC's optical components, but is not limited to those connections. If two or more boards are used, it will be recognized that at least two MCU316s may be used.

[0068] Next, refer to Figure 4, which shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of inter-switch optical communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] Figure 4 shows, for example, a copackaged optic system 400 (switch 1) and a copackaged optic system 404 (switch 2), which may be part of a data center. The terms “uplink” and “downlink” are as explained above in relation to Figure 3.

[0070] Therefore, in the case of downlink, system 400 is the receiver and system 404 is the transmitter, and in the case of uplink, the reverse is true. The two copackaged optic systems (switches) may be connected by optical waveguides 428, 429 which act as a bus, for example, an integrated optical waveguide or optical fiber.

[0071] System 400 may comprise multiple MRM308 and MRR310. Each MRM308 is responsible for transmitting data relating to a single channel from a number of downlink channels 420, and each MRR310 is responsible for receiving data relating to a specific single channel from uplink channel 425. Copacked optic system 404 (switch 2) may comprise multiple MRM309 and MRR312. Each MRR312 is responsible for receiving data relating to a single channel from downlink channel 421, and each MRM309 is responsible for transmitting data relating to a specific single channel from uplink channel 424.

[0072] Each of the copacked optic system 400 (switch 1) and copacked optic system 404 (switch 2) supports a total of N downlink and uplink channels, equal to the number of wavelengths emitted by the comb laser. The number of MRMs and MRRs in the copacked optic system (e.g., switch) is determined by the number of channels that need to be supported. For example, if the amount of information allocated for uplink and downlink is equal, then N / 2 MRMs and N / 2 MRRs may be used in each of the copacked systems. In some embodiments, an asymmetric allocation of uplinks and downlinks may be considered.

[0073] The system comprises one or more comb lasers 326 that illuminate a waveguide 427 with light over M wavelengths, where M is equal to or greater than N. For simplicity, we assume N = M.

[0074] The Array Waveguide Grating (AWG) 408 splits the wavelength received from the Comb Laser 326, splitting the wavelengths λ1, λ2...

number

number

number

[0075] In downlink communication, data from downlink channel 420 is transmitted via λ1, λ2...

number

[0076] Similarly, in the case of uplink communication, data from each of the uplink channels 424 is:

number

number

[0077] Therefore, in this embodiment, a portion such as half of the wavelength is used for the downlink, and the remaining portion is used for the uplink.

[0078] MRM308, 309 and MRR312, 310 can be connected to one or more MCU316 as described above in relation to Figure 3.

[0079] Next, refer to Figure 5, which shows a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of inter-switch optical communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0080] Figure 5 shows, for example, a copackaged optic system 500 (switch 1) and a copackaged optic system 504 (switch 2), which may be part of a data center. The terms “uplink” and “downlink” are as explained above in relation to Figure 3.

[0081] Therefore, in the case of downlink, switch 1 (500) is the transmitter and switch 2 (504) is the receiver, and in the case of uplink, it is the other way around.

[0082] Copackaged optic system 1 500 (switch 1) comprises multiple MRM308 and MRR310. Each MRM308 is responsible for transmitting one channel from downlink channel 520, and each MRR310 is responsible for receiving one specific channel from uplink channel 525. Copackaged optic system 504 (switch 2) comprises multiple MRM309 and MRR312. Each MRM309 is responsible for transmitting one channel from uplink channel 524, and each MRR312 is responsible for receiving one specific channel from downlink channel 521.

[0083] Switch 1 (500) and Switch 2 (504) each support a total of N downlink channels and N uplink channels.

[0084] This system comprises one or more comb lasers 326 that emit light across M wavelengths, where M is equal to or greater than N. However, for simplicity, we assume that N = M.

[0085] The light from the comb laser 326 is amplified by a broadband optical amplifier (BOA) 546, which amplifies the laser output.

[0086] The amplified output from the laser passes through a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 548, which splits the light at all wavelengths into two waveguides: waveguide 540, where all wavelengths are polarized in a first polarity, and waveguide 541, where all wavelengths are polarized in a second polarity.

[0087] Waveguide 540 carries polarization modulated by MRM308 according to downlink data such as provided from downlink channel 520, and waveguide 541 carries light at all wavelengths polarized in a second polarization. The light carried by waveguide 540 after modulation passes through polarization controller (PC) 550. PC 550 allows for polarization correction or fine-tuning due to slight polarization distortion that may be caused by the optical device, and the light carried by waveguide 541 passes through PC 551. The light from waveguides 540 and 541 is combined by polarization beam combiner (PBC) 552 and carried by waveguide 542.

[0088] Waveguide 542 enters PBS554, which splits waveguide 542 into waveguide 543, which carries the wavelength in the first polarization, and waveguide 544, which carries the wavelength in the second polarization. Waveguides 543 and 544 enter PC555 and 556, respectively, for fine-tuning the polarization to the required polarization state. The light carried by waveguide 543 enters MRR312 of copacked optic system 504 (switch 2) and is output through downlink channel 521.

[0089] The second polarization of light carried by waveguide 544 enters MRM309 of copacked optic system 504 (switch 2), which receives data through uplink channel 524, then enters MRR310 of copacked optic system 500 (switch 1), and is output through uplink channel 525 of copacked optic system 500 (switch 1).

[0090] Therefore, in this embodiment, each wavelength is used for one polarization in the uplink and for the other polarization in the downlink. This arrangement provides full utilization of all channels by receiving inputs on all downlink channels and providing outputs on all uplink channels, thereby doubling the spectral efficiency by transmitting twice the amount of data without inter-channel interference. This is made possible by the orthogonality of the data provided by the orthogonality of the polarizations.

[0091] MRM308, 309 and MRR312, 310 can be connected to one or more MCU316 as described above in relation to Figure 3.

[0092] Next, refer to Figure 6, which shows a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of inter-switch optical communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] Figure 6 shows, for example, a copackaged optic system 600 (switch 1) and a copackaged optic system 604 (switch 2), which may be part of a data center. The terms “uplink” and “downlink” are as explained above in relation to Figure 3.

[0094] Therefore, in the case of downlink, the copacked optic system 600 (switch 1) is the transmitter and the copacked optic system 604 (switch 2) is the receiver, and in the case of uplink, the reverse is true.

[0095] Light emitted by the comb laser 326 may enter the power splitter (PS) 608 of the copacked optic system 600 (switch 1), which splits the power at each wavelength such that each wavelength travels along waveguide 628 with half the power and the same wavelength travels along waveguide 629 with half the power. It will be recognized that in some embodiments, the power splitting ratio may be other than 50-50, such as 60-40 or 70-30.

[0096] Light traveling along waveguide 629 enters AWG408, where it is split into N wavelengths. Each wavelength is modulated by the corresponding E / O630 according to the input received from the corresponding downlink channel from downlink channel 620. E / O630 can be any electrical-to-optical transducer. For example, MRM308 could be one example of such a transducer. However, since AWG408 splits the light into various wavelengths, other modulators such as Mach-Zehnder modulators, field absorption modulators, and plasmon modulators may be used.

[0097] Light at all wavelengths is combined by AWG409 and transferred over waveguide 410 to AWG413 of copacked optic system 604 (switch 2), where the light is split again to different wavelengths. Therefore, since the wavelengths are already separated, MRR is not necessary. Light at each wavelength enters the corresponding photodetector (PD) 612, and the data is output to the corresponding downlink channel from downlink channel 621.

[0098] In the uplink direction, the reverse path is used, where the light carried by waveguide 628 is split to different wavelengths by AWG408 of copacked optic system 604 (switch 2). Each wavelength is modulated by the associated E / O 631 according to data received from a specific channel from uplink channel 624. The modulated light is combined by AWG409 of copacked optic system 604 (switch 2) and proceeds to AWG413 of copacked optic system 600 (switch 1) on waveguide 411.

[0099] At switch 1 (600), the light is split again by AWG413, and the light at each wavelength enters the corresponding PD613 without the need for a resonator, and is output to the corresponding up-channel from uplink channel 625.

[0100] Each of the E / O630, 631 and PD612, 613 can be connected to one or more MCU316s, as described above in relation to Figure 3.

[0101] As described above, this disclosure is equally applicable to in-switch communications in order to reduce the footprint, power, and heat associated with metal wiring.

[0102] Next, refer to Figure 7, which shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of in-switch optical communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0103] As described above, switch 700 receives light from external comb laser 326 that irradiates light at M wavelengths. Switch 700 receives information from an external device via downlink channel 720 over approximately half the wavelengths of comb laser 326, such as wavelengths λ1, λ2...λ M / 2 and transmits information on transmission downlink channel 721. The above is applicable to even M, but when N is odd, the intermediate wavelength can be used as a control channel. Similarly, switch 700 receives information from devices within its network via uplink channel 724 and, in accordance with the received information, modulates wavelengths λ M / 2+1 , λ M / 2+2 ...λ M and outputs information on transmission uplink channel 725. For simplicity, it is assumed that the number of uplink channels and downlink channels is equal, but it will be recognized that this is not necessary and other ratios can be used.

[0104] The light from comb laser 326 is split by AWG 704 into two sets of wavelengths. For example, a first set including wavelengths λ1, λ2...λ M / 2 is routed to optical isolator 708 in one direction, and a second set including wavelengths λ M / 2+1 , λ M / 2+2 ...λ M is routed to optical isolator 712 in the opposite direction. Each of optical isolators 708 and 712 allows light to pass in one direction and blocks light from traveling in the reverse direction. One of the first or second groups of wavelengths is used for the downlink and the other is used for the uplink. AWG 704 can separate wavelengths by applying a low-band filter and a high-band filter.

[0105] Therefore, for example, light in the first wavelength set enters MRM308, which modulates the light according to data from the corresponding downlink channel from downlink channel 720, and passes it to MRR312, where the light is detected and output through the corresponding downlink channel from downlink channel 721.

[0106] Similarly, light in the second wavelength set enters the MRM309, which modulates the light according to data from the corresponding uplink channel from uplink channel 724, and passes it to the MRR310, where the light is detected and output through the corresponding uplink channel from uplink channel 725. This arrangement is advantageous in that it has a common bus for uplink and downlink, which reduces the number of optical connections.

[0107] MRM308, 309 and MRR312, 310 can be connected to one or more MCU316 as described above in relation to Figure 3.

[0108] Next, refer to Figure 8, which shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of optical communication within a copackaged optics system (for example, within a switch) according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0109] Switch 800 receives light from an external comb laser 326 that emits light at M wavelengths, as described above. Switch 800 receives information from external devices via downlink channel 820 on N channels, where N may be equal to or less than M. For simplicity, we assume N = M. Light at each wavelength is modulated by the corresponding MRM308 according to the information received from the corresponding downlink channel from downlink channel 820. The modulated light is transmitted to the corresponding MRR312, which resonates and provides a signal to the corresponding downlink channel from downlink channel 821. Similarly, switch 800 receives information from devices in its network via uplink channel 824 on all wavelengths, modulates the light by the corresponding MRM309, transmits the information to MRR310, and provides the output to the corresponding uplink channel from uplink channel 825.

[0110] The light from the comb laser 326 is split, for example, by a 3dB splitter 804, into two waveguides, waveguide 828 for the downlink and waveguide 829 for the uplink, each receiving a portion of the power. In some embodiments, the power may be split so that each waveguide receives half of the power. In other embodiments, for example, if a higher load is expected on either the uplink or downlink, the power may be split accordingly, for example, 40-60, 30-70, etc.

[0111] Therefore, both downlink and uplink communications use all wavelengths to enable communication on all channels, but they do so on separate buses. Providing two buses instead of one in an optical copackage does not require additional fiber because it is within the switch, and therefore this arrangement is advantageous in utilizing all channels.

[0112] MRM308, 309 and MRR312, 310 can be connected to one or more MCU316 as described above in relation to Figure 3.

[0113] Next, refer to Figure 9, which shows schematic diagrams of devices for controlling the output of a comb laser according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The comb laser 326 outputs multiple wavelengths, for example, 22 wavelengths. However, not all wavelengths are output at the same intensity, and therefore some wavelengths may have lower power than others. This can be problematic, as different power levels at different wavelengths can lead to differences in the link performance of different channels. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the output of the comb laser so that all wavelengths are output at the same power. This can be done by emitting light in BOA 546 and amplifying it in all channels. When BOA 546 is saturated, all channels are equalized. The output light may be supplied to a non-invasive power measure 904, which measures the power at each wavelength and provides the measurements to the MCU 316.

[0114] Several embodiments of the non-invasive power measuring device 904 are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 146,659, filed 2 February 2021, entitled "Device and Method for Calibration, Monitoring and Control of the Integrated Photonic Systems," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0115] The MCU316 can then transmit a bias control signal to the comb laser 326 to adjust the irradiation of all wavelengths by controlling the bias current and operating temperature. Measurements, and feedback if necessary, can also be performed at predetermined time intervals, for example, every few milliseconds, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.

[0116] Therefore, the comb laser 326 shown in any of the embodiments in Figures 3 to 8 above can be replaced by a device comprising the comb laser 326, a BOA 546, and a non-invasive power meter 904, which provides light with the same intensity at all wavelengths. The MCU 316 may be the same MCU that controls the MRMs 308, 309 and RRMs 310, 312. Alternatively, any two or more MCUs 316 may be used to control (one or more) comb lasers and the MRMs and RRMs. The device may be located outside the switch, like the comb laser 326, or outside any other device that handles communication between the network and devices outside the network.

[0117] It will be recognized that the COM-LASER 326 and BOA546 are either separate devices or can be manufactured on the same substrate for integration efficiency.

[0118] Next, refer to Figure 10, which shows schematic diagrams of devices for ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the comb laser 326 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As detailed above, lasers in general, and comb lasers in particular, are sensitive devices with high failure rates. Therefore, in some embodiments, redundancy may be used to ensure proper continuous operation of the comb laser, and two or more comb laser devices, for example, comb laser 326 and comb laser 326', may be used, their outputs combined by a combiner 1000. The light output by the power combiner 1000 may be measured by a non-invasive power meter 904, which may transmit its measurements to an MCU 316 to control the comb laser 326 and comb laser 326'.

[0119] For example, if one of the comb lasers 326 and 326' is operating properly, as can be determined by the non-invasive power meter 904 reporting proper operation at all wavelengths when the other is stopped, the MCU 316 may keep the other comb laser inactive. If the power of the light emitted by the active laser drops at one or more wavelengths, the MCU 316 may deactivate it and activate the other comb laser.

[0120] Therefore, the comb laser 326 shown in the embodiments of Figures 3 to 8 above can be replaced by a device comprising the comb laser 326, the comb laser 326', the combiner 1000, and the non-invasive power meter 904, which provides continuous and stable light at all wavelengths. The MCU 316 may be the same MCU that controls the MRMs 308, 309 and the RRMs 310, 312. Alternatively, any two or more MCUs 316 can be used to control the comb laser 326, the comb laser 326', and the MRMs and RRMs. The device may be located outside a copacked optics system (e.g., a switch), or outside any other device that handles communication between a network and devices outside the network, like the comb laser 326.

[0121] In some embodiments, the device in Figure 9 and the device in Figure 10 above can be combined, for example, by using the device in Figure 10, which is known to be operable at all wavelengths, instead of the comb laser 326 in Figure 9, and by increasing its intensity at all wavelengths. Thus, a device consisting of components of the device in Figure 9 and the device in Figure 10 can be used instead of the comb laser 326 shown in the embodiments of Figures 3 to 8 above. The MCU 316 in Figure 9, Figure 10, and any of Figures 3 to 8 may be the same MCU that controls the MRMs 308, 309 and RRMs 310, 312. Alternatively, any two or more MCUs 316 may be used to control the comb laser 326 and the comb laser 326' and the MRMs and RRMs. The combined device, like the comb laser 326, may be located outside the switch or outside any other device that handles communication between the network and devices outside the network.

[0122] Next, refer to Figure 11, which shows a flowchart of a method for tuning the MRM308, 309 in a device, such as one of the devices in Figures 3 to 8 above, to the required wavelength, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps in Figure 11 may be performed by one or more MCUs of the system according to the present disclosure.

[0123] In step 1100, the first MRM of the device may be selected for tuning. The order of the MRMs may be random, predetermined, set by wavelength, by their physical location, etc. In some embodiments, tuning may begin with the MRM closest to the light source and proceed in ascending order of their distance from the light source with respect to the subsequent MRMs.

[0124] In step 1104, the ring temperature and / or bias voltage may be adjusted, for example, by the MCU sending a control signal 216 to the heater 212, and the light source provides light at the wavelength expected to be captured by the MRM. The heat can change the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of the ring modulator, for example, the dimensions of the ring 204, thereby changing the resonant wavelength to which it responds. The signal dropped into the waveguide 210 can be measured and provide an indication of the signal intensity at the required wavelength. It will be recognized that there may be some optical power near the resonant wavelength, and that power is maximum at that wavelength itself. When the dropped signal reaches its maximum value, the temperature and / or bias voltage applied to the MRM may be memorized, and so in the future, the MCU may send a control signal to bring the ring to this setting of operating parameters such as temperature and / or bias voltage, thereby adjusting the MRM to this wavelength.

[0125] In step 1108, various training sequences can be applied to the MRM to optimize its performance according to the received optical power, extinction ratio, linearity, and other measures. Its performance can be monitored by a non-invasive detector and / or photodetector of the drop waveguide.

[0126] In step 1112, it may be determined whether the last MRM has been processed. If the last MRM has not been processed, the next MRM is selected in step 1116, and execution returns to step 1104 to adjust the parameters of the next MRM, and then may proceed to step 1108.

[0127] Once all MRMs have been adjusted, the process can be terminated.

[0128] Next, refer to Figure 12, which shows a flowchart of a method for tuning the MRR 310, 312 in a device, such as one of the devices in Figures 3 to 8 above, to the required wavelength, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps in Figure 12 may be performed by one or more MCUs of the system according to the present disclosure.

[0129] The method shown in Figure 12 can be performed after all MRMs have been tuned to the relevant wavelengths, as detailed in relation to Figure 11 above.

[0130] In step 1204, a first pair of MRMs and MRRs is selected, for example, the MRM closest to the light source and the corresponding MRR that is expected to operate at the same wavelength.

[0131] In step 1208, a predetermined training sequence or pilot signal is applied to the current MRM and transmitted over a waveguide carrying light having wavelengths related to the current MRM and MRR.

[0132] In step 1212, the temperature of the MRR is varied as described above in relation to step 1104 for the MRM until the training sequence or pilot signal is detected at the output of the MRR at the required quality at the output of the PD receiving the output of the MRR.

[0133] Quality may be measured according to one or more of the following, but are not limited to, channel performance, cumulative error, bit error rate (BER), packet error rate, or Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

[0134] In step 1216, it may be determined whether the processed pair of MRM and MRR is the last pair. If it is not the last pair, in step 1120 the next MRM and MRR pair is selected, and the execution returns to step 1208 to adjust the ring temperature of the MRR, and then proceeds to step 1212.

[0135] In some embodiments, N orthogonal training sequences may be transmitted simultaneously for simultaneous tuning of the MRR. However, such simultaneous tuning can be more costly in terms of memory storage space, computational requirements, and calibration algorithm complexity.

[0136] Once the initial adjustments have been made for the MRM and MRR, readjustments may be made at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute, after replacing one or more components to correct any mismatch between the MRM or MRR and the wavelength, and after receiving an error indication.

[0137] The present invention may be a system, method, and / or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or media) having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0138] Computer-readable storage media can be tangible devices capable of holding and storing instructions for use by instruction-executing devices. Computer-readable storage media can be, for example, but are not limited to, electronic storage devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, electromagnetic storage devices, semiconductor storage devices, or any preferred combination thereof. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanically encoded devices such as punched cards or grooved raised structures on which instructions are recorded, and any preferred combination thereof. The computer-readable storage media used herein should not be interpreted as being transient signals in themselves, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through fiber optic cables), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0139] The computer-readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to each computing / processing device, or downloaded to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmitters, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards them for storage in a computer-readable storage medium within each computing / processing device.

[0140] The computer-readable program instructions for performing the operation of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages ​​such as "C", C#, C++, Java®, Python, Smalltalk, etc. The computer-readable program instructions may run entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, via the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, an electronic circuit, including, for example, a programmable logic circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic array (PLA), may execute a computer-readable program instruction by personalizing the electronic circuit using state information of a computer-readable program instruction in order to carry out an aspect of the present invention.

[0141] Aspects of the present invention will be described herein with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0142] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device for creating machines, and so the instructions executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create means for implementing functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can instruct computers, programmable data processing devices, and / or other devices to function in a particular manner, and so the computer-readable storage medium storing the instructions comprises a product containing instructions that implement modes of functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0143] Computer-readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, another programmable device, or another device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, another programmable device, or another device in order to create a computer implementation process; therefore, instructions executed on a computer, another programmable device, or another device implement the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0144] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions described in the blocks may be performed in a different order than that shown in the diagram. For example, two consecutively shown blocks may be executed effectively substantially simultaneously, or they may be executed in reverse order from time to time, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs a specified function or action, or combines dedicated hardware with computer instructions.

[0145] The technical terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only to describe specific embodiments and do not limit the invention. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein also include the plural form unless the context otherwise clearly indicates. Furthermore, the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising” used herein indicate the presence of the described features, completes, steps, actions, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, completes, steps, actions, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0146] All corresponding structures, materials, actions, and equivalents of all means-plus-function elements or step-plus-function elements in the following claims include any structures, materials, or actions for performing a function in combination with other claimed elements specifically claimed. The description of the present invention is presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes, but is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the disclosed forms. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The examples have been selected and described to best illustrate the principles and practical applications of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various examples with various modifications suitable for specific intended uses.

Claims

1. A transmitter comprising a first optical module, wherein the first optical module comprises a plurality of micro-ring modulators (MRMs), A receiver comprising a second optical module, wherein the second optical module comprises a plurality of micro-ring resonators (MRRs), and the first optical module and the second optical module are connected by an optical waveguide. At least one comb laser outside the optical copackage comprising the transmitter or the receiver, wherein the at least one comb laser irradiates the optical waveguide and the at least one comb laser emits light at multiple wavelengths A communication system comprising, A communication system in which at least one first MRM and at least one first MRR are tuned to operate at at least one first wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths, and at least one second MRM and at least one second MRR are tuned to operate at at least one second wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first MRM and the at least one first MRR are coordinated to operate using a training sequence.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first MRM and the at least one first MRR are coordinated to operate using a pilot signal.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are provided in a single optical copackage.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is located in a first optical copackage and the receiver is located in a second optical copackage.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the downlink channel of the transmitter and the downlink channel of the receiver operate in a first plurality of wavelengths from the plurality of wavelengths, the uplink channel of the transmitter and the uplink channel of the receiver operate in a second plurality of wavelengths from the plurality of wavelengths, and the first plurality of wavelengths and the second plurality of wavelengths do not have a common wavelength.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein each wavelength in the first plurality of wavelengths includes a frequency higher than at least one frequency of the second plurality of wavelengths.

8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the downlink channel of the transmitter and the downlink channel of the receiver operate in the plurality of wavelengths polarized to a first polarization, and the uplink channel of the transmitter and the uplink channel of the receiver operate in the plurality of wavelengths polarized to a second polarization, wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization.

9. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a power splitter that splits the power of the optical waveguide into a first portion and a second portion, wherein transmission is operated in the first portion and reception is operated in the second portion.

10. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a first optical waveguide microcontroller unit (MCU) for controlling the plurality of MRMs, and the receiver comprises a second MCU for controlling the plurality of MRRs.

11. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the first MCU and the second MCU are coordinated using a handshake protocol.

12. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a broadband optical amplifier and a non-invasive power meter for ensuring equal power for each wavelength.

13. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one comb laser comprises at least two comb lasers to provide redundancy, thereby reducing the failure rate of the at least one comb laser.

14. The aforementioned MCU is The MRM ring temperature of each of the multiple MRMs is varied until the maximum light is detected at the drop output. The modulation of the MRM is changed until the minimum value is detected by a non-invasive detector at the end of the MRM line. A communication system according to claim 1, configured to perform the following:

15. The aforementioned MCU is For each MRR from the aforementioned multiple MRRs, Sending a training sequence or pilot signal from the MRM corresponding to the aforementioned MRR, The MRR ring temperature or bias voltage of the MRR is varied until the training sequence or pilot signal is detected in the channel with the required quality. The communication system according to claim 15, further configured to perform the following:

16. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein the MCU is further configured to repeatedly vary the MRM ring temperature or the bias voltage, modify the modulation of the MRM, send a training sequence or pilot signal, and vary the MRR ring temperature according to quality parameters.

17. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein the quality parameters include at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of channel performance, cumulative error, bit error rate (BER), packet error rate, and received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

18. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of MRMs is a segmented MRM (SMRM).

19. A communication system comprising: a transmitter having a first optical module, the first optical module comprising a plurality of micro-ring modulators (MRMs); a receiver having a second optical module, the second optical module comprising a plurality of ring resonator modules (MRRs), the first optical module and the second optical module being connected by an optical waveguide; and at least one comb laser outside the optical copackage comprising the transmitter or the receiver, the at least one comb laser illuminating the optical waveguide and emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, wherein at least one first MRM and at least one first MRR are tuned to operate at at least one first wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths, and at least one second MRM and at least one second MRR are tuned to operate at at least one second wavelength from the plurality of wavelengths, a method for tuning the plurality of MRMs, the method being: For each MRM from the aforementioned multiple MRMs, The MRM ring temperature or bias voltage of the MRMs from the plurality of MRMs is varied until the maximum light is detected in the drop output, The modulation of the MRM is changed until the minimum value is detected by a non-invasive detector at the end of the MRM line. Includes, method.

20. For each MRR from the aforementioned multiple MRRs, Sending a training sequence or pilot signal from the MRM corresponding to the aforementioned MRR, The MRR ring temperature or bias voltage of the MRR is varied until the training sequence or pilot signal is detected in the channel with the required quality. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: