Parallel optical transmission/reception module

A parallel optical transmission module comprising:

• an optical data transmission circuit transmitting parallel data signals through a plurality of physically separate parallel data channels, each parallel data signal representing a different data stream;
• and
• a skew data transmission unit transmitting parallel synchronous pattern signals in parallel with the parallel data signals in the respective data channels such that the pattern signals and data signals coexist on the data channels, where the pattern signals are synchronized with each other,
• wherein the parallel pattern signals are utilized to detect a skew between the data channels and to correct skew of the parallel data signals at a receiver.

A method, comprising:

• sending from a first unit synchronized parallel optical pattern signals in a first direction through parallel optical channels, where passage through the parallel optical channels causes the optical pattern signals to become skewed;
• receiving the parallel optical pattern signals at a second unit, where they are compared to each other to generate skew correction information or signals reflecting the skew caused by their passage through the parallel optical channels;
• and
• using the skew correction information or signals at the second unit to skew parallel electric data signals, after which they are converted to parallel optical data signals and sent in a second direction through the parallel optical channels, where the second direction is an opposite direction of the first direction, where the skewed parallel optical data signals become de-skewed by their passage through the parallel optical channels, and where the first unit is sending the pattern signals at a same time that the second unit is sending the data signals such that the parallel optical channels carry, at the same time, the data signals and pattern signals passing in opposite directions through the optical channels.

A method, comprising:

• converting parallel electric data signals to parallel optical data signals;
• generating synchronized parallel optical pattern signals;
• transmitting the parallel optical pattern signals through parallel optical channels while simultaneously transmitting the parallel optical data signals through the same parallel optical channels, where the parallel optical signals become skewed while passing through the parallel optical channels;
• receiving the skewed parallel optical signals at a remote end of the parallel optical channels;
• converting the received parallel optical data and pattern signals to parallel electric data and pattern signals;
• generating a skew correction signal by comparing the converted parallel electric pattern signals to each other;
• and
• applying the skew correction signal to the converted parallel electric data signals, thereby correcting the skew that resulted from the parallel optical signals passing through the parallel optical channels.

A parallel optical transmission module comprising:

• an optical data transmission circuit transmitting by outputting from the module parallel synchronized data signals into a plurality of physically separate parallel data channels, said parallel data channels external to the module, each parallel data signal representing a different data stream;
• and
• a skew data transmission unit transmitting parallel synchronous pattern signals in parallel with the parallel data signals in the respective data channels such that the pattern signals and data signals coexist on the data channels, where the pattern signals are synchronized with each others,
• wherein the parallel pattern signals are utilized to detect a skew between the data channels and to correct skew of the parallel data signals at a receiver.