Multilevel optical signal generator and method thereof
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsLisa Anne Buckman, Lewis Aronson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating multiple levels of optical signals. A plurality of electrical currents is produced. The magnitudes of the electrical currents are independent of each other. Optical signals are produced using the electrical currents. Each optical signal has an amplitude corresponding to one of the multiple levels. The amplitudes of the optical signals corresponding to a level are adjustable by independently adjusting a respective electrical current. Amplitudes of optical signals corresponding to other levels may be adjusted independently.
Claims15
A method of generating multiple levels of optical signals, said method comprising:
- providing plurality of electrical currents to an individual laser, said electrical currents comprising a bias current and a first modulation current of a first channel of a multichannel laser driver circuit, a second modulation current of a second channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit and a third modulation current of a third channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit, wherein magnitudes of said electrical currents are independent of each other;
- and
- producing optical signals using said electrical currents, each optical signal having an amplitude corresponding to one of said multiple levels;
- wherein amplitudes of optical signals corresponding to a level are adjustable by independently adjusting a respective electrical current, wherein amplitudes of optical signals corresponding to other levels are not changed by said adjusting.
An apparatus for generating multiple levels of optical signals, said apparatus comprising:
- a multichannel laser driver circuit for generating a number of electrical currents, said electrical currents comprising a bias current and first modulation current of a first channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit, a second modulation current of a second channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit and a third modulation current of a third channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit, wherein magnitudes of said electrical currents are set and adjusted independently of each other such that a magnitude of one of said electrical currents can be changed without changing a magnitude of another of said electrical currents;
- wherein optical signals are generated using said electrical currents, wherein amplitudes of said optical signals correspond to a number of prescribed levels, wherein said number of electrical currents is not less than said number of prescribed levels.
An apparatus for generating multiple levels of optical signals, said apparatus comprising:
- a multichannel laser driver circuit for generating a plurality of independent electrical currents, said electrical currents comprising a bias current and first modulation current of a first channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit, a second modulation current of a second channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit and a third modulation current of a third channel of said multichannel laser driver circuit, wherein a magnitude of one of said electrical currents can be changed without changing a magnitude of another of said electrical currents;
- wherein said electrical currents are used for generating optical signals having amplitudes corresponding to said multiple levels;
- and
- wherein an amplitude of an optical signal corresponding to a level is adjustable without changing amplitudes of other optical signals corresponding to other levels by independently adjusting a magnitude of a respective electrical current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.