Abstract: An optical interface circuit ?40! is provided. The optical interface circuit ?40! includes a receiver circuit ?82, 102! that receives incoming data from an optical signal and generates an electrical signal having the encoded data. The optical interface circuit ?40! also includes a transmitter circuit ?82, 104! that receives outgoing data and encodes the outgoing data into an optical signal. An interface circuit ?112! connected to the receiver circuit ?82, 102! and the transmitter circuit ?82, 104! transmits control commands and control data to the receiver circuit ?82, 102! and the transmitter circuit ?82, 104!, and receives response data from the receiver circuit ?82, 102! and the transmitter circuit ?82, 104!. A controller circuit ?84, 114! connected to the interface circuit ?112! transmits the control commands and the control data to the interface circuit ?112! and receives the response data from the interface circuit ?112!.