Transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) chip architectures and drive systems and wavelength stabilization for TxPICs

A monolithic transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) chip comprising:

• an array of modulated sources formed on the PIC chip and having different operating wavelengths according to a standardized wavelength grid and providing modulated signal outputs of different wavelengths;
• a plurality of first wavelength tuning elements integrated on the chip, one associated with each of the modulated sources;
• an optical combiner formed on the PIC chip and having a given wavelength passband;
• a second wavelength tuning element associated with said optical combiner;
• the signal outputs of the modulated sources optically coupled to one or more inputs of the optical combiner and provided as a combined channel signal output from the combiner;
• said first wavelength tuning elements for tuning, within an acceptable tolerance, the operating wavelength of the respective modulated sources to approximate or to be chirped to optimally approximate the standardized wavelength grid forming an adjusted modulated source wavelength grid;
• said second wavelength tuning element for tuning the wavelength passband of the optical combiner to optimally approximate the standardized wavelength grid.