An interconnect module having a base substrate with a microcontroller on a top surface and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and photodetector array on an opposed bottom surface is described. The interconnect module has a top and bottom fiber assembly, which both have a row of optical fibers. The bottom fiber assembly is actively aligned with the PIC to maximize optical coupling efficiency between the bottom fiber assembly and the PIC and then permanently affixed in this position. The top fiber assembly is actively aligned with the photodetector array to maximize optical coupling efficiency between the top fiber assembly and the photodetector array and then permanently affixed in this position.