An optical communications system including a method and apparatus with an electro-optical chip which includes optical interface elements in optical interface array configuration on a first side of the electro-optical chip, attached to or integrated with an optical circuit board which includes a plurality of layered optical wave guides, a plurality of coupling elements disposed relative to the electro-optical chip such that the plurality of coupling elements optically communicate with the first plurality of optical interface elements on the electro-optical chip, and wherein the coupling elements are further disposed to optically communicate with the plurality of optical wave guides.