Module to module signaling utilizing amplitude modulation

A system for modulating system data onto a network data signal in a communication device to thereby transmit system data with the network data, the system comprising:

• an input for receiving an intensity control signal;
• a intensity control system configured to:
• receive the intensity control signal;
• generate a network data driver signal responsive to the control signal, wherein the network data driver signal is configured to drive an optical signal generator;
• output the network data driver signal;
• and
• an optical signal generator configured to receive the network data driver signal and generate an optical signal having an intensity level controlled by the network data driver signal, wherein the intensity control system controls the extinction ratio of the network data when transmitted through an optical fiber.

A method for communicating system data between stations of an optical communication system to thereby control or monitor one or more aspects of operation of the communication system, the method comprising:

• receiving network data from a network data source;
• receiving or generating system data, wherein the system data is configured to provide information regarding or controlling one or more aspects of operation of the communication system;
• generating an optical signal generator control signal based on the network data and the system data;
• providing the optical signal generator control signal to an optical signal generator configured to generate an optical signal in response to the control signal;
• generating an optical signal to represent the network data and wherein the intensity of the optical signal is responsive to the system data;
• transmitting the optical signal from a first location over an optical communication channel;
• receiving the optical signal at a second location;
• converting the optical signal to a received electrical signal wherein the intensity of the optical signal determines the magnitude of the received signal;
• monitoring the magnitude of the received signal to detect the system data;
• processing the received signal to detect the network data.