Light source multiplexing for modulated optical communication
AssigneeSignify Holding B.V.
InventorCHRISTOPH GERARD AUGUST HOELEN
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Abstract
This invention relates to a transmitter and transmission system for optical communication that comprises multiplexing of light sources with serial emission of data and protocol negotiation signals to enable binary pulse modulation with miniaturized components. Mounting two different light sources (e.g., VCSELs) antiparallel enables multiplexing functionality while requiring only a two-electrodes package without further inclusion of Zener diodes, resulting in miniaturization and cost reduction.
Claims14
A transmitter for transmitting multiplexed optical signals in an optical communication system, wherein the transmitter comprises:
- two semiconductor light sources;
- and
- an apparatus for transmitting data via an optical link, the apparatus comprising:
- an encoder for converting input data into a plurality of signaling states of a communication or interface protocol;
- and
- a driver for generating at least one modulated driving signal with a plurality of modulation levels mapped to the plurality of signaling states and for supplying the at least one modulated driving signal to the two semiconductor light sources, wherein the modulated driving signal is configured to drive the two semiconductor light sources with different ones of the plurality of modulation levels, in a mutually exclusive manner, such that only one of the semiconductor light sources emits at a time.
The transmitter of 6, wherein the communication or interface protocol is a Universal Serial Bus, USB, protocol.
A method of transmitting data via an optical link, the method comprising:
- converting input data into a plurality of signaling states of a communication or interface protocol;
- generating at least one modulated driving signal with a plurality of modulation levels mapped to the plurality of signaling states;
- and
- supplying the at least one modulated driving signal to two semiconductor light sources, wherein the modulated driving signal is configured to drive the two semiconductor light sources with different ones of the plurality of modulation levels in a mutually exclusive manner, such that only one of the light semiconductor source emits at a time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.