Optical transmission system employing auto-synchronized chirped return-to-zero transmitter

A method of modulating an optical signal comprising the steps of:

• providing a first electric field in a first optical signal path by at least an offset waveguide electrode;
• providing a second electric field in a second optical signal path by at least said offset waveguide electrode, the second optical signal path positioned adjacent to said first optical signal path;
• transmitting an optical signal along said first optical signal path and said second optical signal path;
• ANDing a clock source and a data source to provide a data modulated RF signal on the offset waveguide electrode;
• amplitude modulating the optical signal via said first electric field and said second electric field;
• phase modulating the optical signal via said first electric field and said second electric field,
• providing an RF signal on said offset waveguide electrode;
• and
• adjusting the rise and fall time of the RF signal to control at least one of the amplitude modulating and phase modulating of the optical signal,
• wherein said offset waveguide electrode is positioned between said first optical signal path and said second optical signal path,
• wherein the magnitude of the electric field of said first electric field in said first optical signal path is greater than the magnitude of the electric field of said second electric field in said second optical signal path, and
• wherein ANDing a clock source and a data source, amplitude modulating the optical signal, and phase modulating the optical signal are all performed simultaneously in a single stage optical modulator.