57) ABSTRACT A method for designing an integrated circuit having optical inputs and
outputs includes the step of selecting an inte grated circuit design which includes at least
one circuit cell design for processing electric signals. The circuit cell design has a
predetermined number of electric inputs and electric outputs. The integrated circuit design
also includes a plu rality of layers of metalization for providing electric cou pling. After the
electronic integrated circuit design is selected, a predetermined number of optical input …