Host device with multipurpose optics drive capabilities

A method comprising:

• generating electrical transmit signals comprising modulated data in a modulation format for conversion to optical signals for transmission on an optical link;
• selecting one of a plurality of optical modulation schemes for use according to a desired optical reach;
• and
• generating a control signal for supply to an optical module, wherein the control signal is configured to cause the optical module to generate optical signals from the electrical transmit signals according to the selected optical modulation scheme.

A system comprising:

• a host device that comprises:
• an electrical modulator unit that is configured to generate electrical transmit signals comprising modulated data in a modulation format;
• a controller that is configured to select one of a plurality of optical modulation schemes for use according to a desired optical reach and to generate a control signal based on the selected optical modulation scheme;
• an optical module that is configured to connect to the host device, the optical module comprising an optical modulator unit that is configured to output optical signals according to any one of the plurality of optical modulation schemes, and wherein the optical module is responsive to the control signal to cause the optical modulator unit to optically modulate the electrical transmit signals according to the selected optical modulation scheme for transmission on an optical fiber.