Flexible control and status architecture for optical modules

Abstract

The invention relates to optoelectronic modules for generating and/or receiving optical signals for use in fiber-optic communication systems, such as optical transponders or transceivers, having a reconfigurable control and status (C&S) interface with a host device. The optoelectronic module includes an electrical multi-pin host connector having a plurality of pins for communicating a plurality of digital C&S signals between the host and the module, functional hardware responsive to the digital control signals and comprising sensing means for generating digital status signals, and processing means formed by an FPGA and a processor for processing the digital C&S signals. The FPGA is disposed in communications paths between the host connector on one side, and the functional hardware and the processor on the other side, and programmed for routing each of the discrete C&S signals between the C&S pins of the host connector and the processor, and between the C&S pins and the functional hardware, thereby providing reconfigurability of said routing by downloading a different set of FPGA instructions.