The invention relates to optoelectronic modules for generating and/or
receiving optical signals for use in fiber-optic communication systems,
such as optical transponders or transceivers, having a reconfigurable
control and status (C&S) interface with a host device. The optoelectronic
module includes an electrical multi-pin host connector having a plurality
of pins for communicating a plurality of digital C&S signals between the
host and the module, functional hardware responsive to the digital
control signals and comprising sensing means for generating digital
status signals, and processing means formed by an FPGA and a processor
for processing the digital C&S signals. The FPGA is disposed in
communications paths between the host connector on one side, and the
functional hardware and the processor on the other side, and programmed
for routing each of the discrete C&S signals between the C&S pins of the
host connector and the processor, and between the C&S pins and the
functional hardware, thereby providing reconfigurability of said routing
by downloading a different set of FPGA instructions.