Multi-chip electro-photonic networks and photonic memory fabrics for interconnecting multiple circuit packages

A system, comprising:

• a photonic integrated circuit comprising a plurality of optical links, each comprising:
• an optical modulator configured to impart a message onto an optical signal;
• a photodetector configured to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal carrying the message;
• and
• an optical transmission medium comprising an optical waveguide connecting the optical modulator to the photodetector;
• and
• a fabric implemented by a plurality of electronic integrated circuits mounted on the photonic integrated circuit, the fabric comprising, for each optical link, a transmit unit associated with a first of the plurality of electronic integrated circuits for sending the message from the first electronic integrated circuit and a receive unit associated with a second of the plurality of electronic integrated circuits for receiving the message sent to the second electronic integrated circuit,
• wherein the transmit unit comprises:
• a driver electrically connected to the optical modulator of the optical link, the driver configured to apply an electronic drive signal to the optical modulator;
• and
• a serializer configured to convert the message received as parallel data into the electronic drive signal for driving the optical modulator;
• and
• wherein the receive unit comprises:
• an amplifier electrically connected to the photodetector of the optical link, the amplifier configured to amplify the electronic signal output by the photodetector;
• gain control configured to normalize a signal level of the electronic signal;
• a slicer configured to extract a bitstream from the electronic signal;
• and
• a deserializer configured to convert the message contained in the bitstream back into the parallel data.