COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS HAVING CO-PACKAGED OPTICAL MODULES

A system includes a housing that has a front panel; a substrate that is positioned at a distance from the front panel, in which a data processor is mounted on the substrate; and a pluggable module. The pluggable module includes a co-packaged optical module, at least one first optical connector, a first fiber optic cable that is optically coupled between the co-packaged optical module and the first optical connector, and a fiber guide that is positioned between the co-packaged optical module and the first optical connector and provides mechanical support for the co-packaged optical module and the first optical connector. The co-packaged optical module is configured to receive optical signals from the first optical connector, generate electrical signals based on the received optical signals, and transmit the electrical signals to the data processor. The pluggable module has a shape that enables the pluggable module to pass through an opening in the front panel to enable the co-packaged optical module to be coupled to the substrate.