Feed-forward optical equalization using an electro-optic modulator with a multi-segment electrode and distributed drivers

A method of optical equalization using an optical modulator, comprising:

• splitting an electrical modulation signal into a first modulation signal and a second modulation signal;
• delaying the second modulation signal relative to the first modulation signal;
• attenuating an amplitude of the second modulation signal relative to the first modulation signal;
• applying the first modulation signal to a first waveguide segment of the optical modulator for providing optical modulation;
• applying the second modulation signal that is delayed and attenuated relative to the first modulation signal, to a second waveguide segment of the optical modulator;
• splitting the second modulation signal into a plurality of additional modulation signals, each additional modulation signal driving a corresponding segment of the second segment;
• and
• sharing a pre-amplifier between a first tap and a second tap of the electrical modulation signal;
• coupling a tunable delay buffer device to an output of the pre-amplifier;
• coupling a tap weight buffer device to an output of the tunable delay buffer;
• and
• coupling an input of a first output driver to the output of the tunable delay buffer device and an output to the first waveguide segment of the optical modulator, wherein:
• both the applied first and second modulation signals generate a feed-forward equalized optical signal that is recombined in the optical domain,
• the first modulation signal is driven by a first tap of the optical modulator, and
• the second and the additional modulation signals are driven by a second tap of the optical modulator.