With　the　increasing　capacity　demands　of　data　communications,　mode　division　multiplexing　in　on-chip　optical　interconnect　systems　is　becoming　an　attractive　solution.　Compact,　broadband,　and　fabrication-tolerant　mode-order　converters　unaffected　by　polarizations　are　considered　crucial　for　the　progress　of　on-chip　systems　utilizing　mode　division　multiplexing.　A　proposal　for　a　design　scheme　for　an　on-chip　mode-order　converter　that　is　insensitive　to　polarization　is　presented,　utilizing　a　combination　of　3D　finite-difference　time-domain　(FDTD)　and　particle　swarm　optimization　(PSO).　The　conversion　of　TE0/TM0-to-TE1/TM1　mode　is　achieved　through　phase　matching　between　a　subwavelength　grating　and　an　input-output　tapered　waveguide.　Theoretical　studies　indicate　that　the　TE0-to-TE1　and　TM0-to-TM1　insertion　losses　are　below　0.46　dB　and　0.78　dB　at　a　wavelength　of　1550　nm.　The　TE0-to-TE1　and　TM0-to-TM1　insertion　loss　is　under　1.0　dB,　with　crosstalk　below　-15　dB　within　the　190　nm　(1432　similar　to　1622　nm)　and　81　nm　(1515　similar　to　1596　nm)　operating　ranges.　Experimental　data　indicates　that　the　device　measuring　7　x　1.58　mu　m(2)　can　successfully　convert　mode　orders　regardless　of　polarization　within　an　81　nm　bandwidth　(1515　similar　to　1596　nm),　effectively　doubling　the　data　transmission　capacity　of　the　MDM　system.　In　addition,　the　devices　fabricated　by　a　standard　CMOS　process　demonstrate　the　potential　for　mass　production.