Optical digital to analog converter

A method of converting an electrical signal to a photonic, comprising;

• receiving, at a grating coupler, a light wave from a light source;
• splitting the light wave into a plurality of sub-waves using a plurality of two or more seriated 3-dB couplers;
• directing the plurality of sub-waves through two or more waveguides, wherein each of the two or more waveguides comprises an electro-optical switch;
• modulating the plurality of sub-waves in accordance with one or more electrical inputs received at each electro-optical switch;
• and
• combining the plurality of modulated sub-waves to form a modulated photonic signal.

A system on chip including an electro-optical transducer, the electro-optical transducer comprising:

• a first interface;
• and
• a second interface coupled to the first interface through one or more modulation circuits, wherein each of the one or more modulation circuits comprises:
• a first splitting coupler connected to the first interface;
• a first waveguide comprising a first lead connected to the first splitting coupler, a first end, and a first length running therebetween, wherein the first lead and the first end are coupled by a first switch positioned along the first length;
• a second splitting coupler connected to the first interface;
• a second waveguide comprising a second lead connected to the second splitting coupler, a second end, and a second length running therebetween, wherein the second lead and the second end are coupled by a second switch positioned along the second length;
• and
• an optical combiner connected to the first end of the first waveguide and the second end of the second waveguide,
• wherein an input of the second interface is connected to the optical combiner of each of the one or more modulation circuits, and
• wherein an output of the second interface is connected to a processor.