Automatic bias control of an optical transmitter
AssigneeARRIS Enterprises LLC
InventorJun Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, an electro-absorption modulator receives an optical light from an optical light source and outputs a modulated optical signal. The electro-absorption modulator includes a bias voltage used to set a predetermined modulation performance and an output power of the electro-absorption modulator. A controller measures a photocurrent generated by the electro-absorption modulator and uses the photocurrent as a reference to automatically control the bias voltage of the electro-absorption modulator to maintain the predetermined modulation performance and the output power of the electro-absorption modulator when a detuning change occurs between the electro-absorption modulator and the optical light source throughout the lifetime of transmitters based on an EML device.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- an electro-absorption modulator configured to receive an optical light from an optical light source and output a modulated optical signal, the electro-absorption modulator including a bias voltage used to set a predetermined modulation performance and an output power of the electro-absorption modulator;
- and
- a controller configured to measure a DC value of the output power provided by the electro-absorption modulator and use the DC value as a reference to automatically control the bias voltage of the electro-absorption modulator to maintain the predetermined modulation performance and the output power of the electro-absorption modulator when a detuning change occurs between the electro-absorption modulator and the optical light source.
A method comprising:
- receiving, at an electro-absorption modulator, an optical light from an optical light source and outputting a modulated optical signal, the electro-absorption modulator including a bias voltage used to set a predetermined modulation performance and an output power of the electro-absorption modulator;
- and
- measuring a DC value of the output power provided by the electro-absorption modulator;
- and
- using the DC value as a reference to automatically control the bias voltage of the electro-absorption modulator to maintain the predetermined modulation performance and the output power of the electro-absorption modulator when a detuning change occurs between the electro-absorption modulator and the optical light source.
A system comprising:
- an optical light source configured to output an optical light;
- an electro-absorption modulator configured to receive the optical light and output a modulated optical signal, the electro-absorption modulator including a bias voltage used to set a predetermined modulation performance and an output power of the electro-absorption modulator;
- and
- a controller configured to measure a DC value of the output power provided by the electro-absorption modulator and use the DC value as a reference to automatically control the bias voltage of the electro-absorption modulator to maintain the predetermined modulation performance and the output power of the electro-absorption modulator when a detuning change occurs between the electro-absorption modulator and the optical light source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.