System and method for optical input/output arrays

A wafer, comprising:

• a plurality of dies, each die comprising:
• a first array of on-chip optical input/output (I/O) elements;
• a second array of on-chip optical I/O elements, the first and second array of on-chip optical I/O elements configured to couple to a testing probe array;
• a first waveguide coupling a first one of the first array of on-chip optical I/O elements to a second one of the first array of on-chip optical I/O elements;
• and
• a second waveguide coupling a first one of the second array of on-chip optical I/O elements to a second of the second array of on-chip optical I/O elements;
• and
• a waveguide routing topology that provides signal feedback to facilitate automated active alignment and coupling of an optical fiber array into surface grating coupler (SGC) elements,
• wherein the first array and second array are interlocking such that an I/O element in the first array is separated from another I/O element in the first array by an I/O element in the second array and such that an I/O element in the second array is separated from another I/O element in the second array by an I/O element in the first array.