Optical modulator, communication system, and communication method

Abstract

An optical modulator has a first branch and a second branch, both being connectable to an input, in particular to a light source. The first branch has an amplitude modulator and a phase shifter, and the amplitude modulator is operable by a first signal that is substantially sinusoidal. The second branch has an amplitude modulator that is operable by a second signal that is substantially 90 degree phase shifted to the first signal. A combining unit with two inputs and two outputs combines the optical fields of the first and second branches. Each output is arranged to supply an optical carrier. A combined optical modulator is formed with at least one such optical modulator. Further, there is provided a method for providing several optical carriers based on an input signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.