Integrated circuit for communications modules

An integrated circuit product, comprising:

• a first input and a first output, and a first signal path between the first input and the first output;
• and
• a second input and a second output, and a second signal path between the second input and the second output, wherein:
• the first input is located on a first edge of the integrated circuit product;
• the first input comprises a first pair of pins for receiving a differential electrical signal relating to a transmission signal;
• the first output is located on a second edge of the integrated circuit product, the second edge being located adjacent to the first edge;
• the first output comprises a second pair of pins for supplying a differential electrical signal to optical components, relating to the transmission signal;
• the second input is located on a third edge of the integrated circuit product, the third edge being opposite the first edge;
• the second input comprises a third pair of pins for receiving a differential electrical signal from optical components, relating to a received signal.
• the second output is located on a fourth edge of the integrated circuit product, the fourth edge being opposite the second edge;
• and
• the second output comprises a fourth pair of pins for supplying a differential electrical signal relating to the received signal.

An optoelectronic transceiver module, comprising:

• a generally rectangular circuit board, the circuit board having a first end and a second end, with connections for electrical components at the first end and connections for optical components at the second end, and
• a generally rectangular integrated circuit product, having four major edges, and having a first input and a first output and a first signal path therebetween, and having a second input and a second output and a second signal path therebetween, wherein:
• the first input is located on a first edge of the integrated circuit product;
• the first output is located on a second edge of the integrated circuit product, the second edge being located adjacent to the first edge;
• the second input is located on a third edge of the integrated circuit product, the third edge being opposite the first edge;
• the second output is located on a fourth edge of the integrated circuit product, the fourth edge being opposite the second edge;
• and
• wherein the integrated circuit product is mounted in the transceiver module with the edges of the integrated circuit product at an angle to the ends of the transceiver module, said angle being in the range of 30° to 60°, with the first input and the second output of the integrated circuit product being directed towards the first end of the transceiver module, and with the first output and the second input of the integrated circuit product being directed towards the second end of the transceiver module.