Resonant quantum well modulator driver

An communication device, comprising:

• a modulator comprising:
• a quantum well modulator configured to modulate an incoming optical signal in response to a modulation voltage,
• a first conduction path comprising a first switch for selectively delivering a modulating voltage from a power supply to the quantum well modulator based on a first control signal, and
• a second conduction path comprising a second switch for selectively returning a current associated with the modulating voltage to the power supply based on a second control signal;
• a retro reflector coupled to the quantum well modulator and configured to reflect the modulated optical signal away from the communication device;
• and
• a processor configured to generate a timing of the first and second control signals such that pulses of the modulation voltage are delivered to the quantum well modulator during a first interval and current is returned to the power supply during a second interval.

A drive circuit, comprising:

• a first voltage source coupled to a quantum well modulator for establishing a bias level of the quantum well modulator;
• a second voltage source configured to deliver a modulating voltage to the quantum well modulator for changing an optical property of the quantum well modulator when the quantum well modulator is biased by the first voltage source;
• a temperature detector configured to detect an ambient temperature of the drive circuit;
• and
• a processor coupled to the temperature detector and configured to control delivery of the modulating voltage in response to an incoming optical signal and to dynamically adjust a voltage level of the first voltage source and the second voltage source based on the ambient temperature;
• and
• a first switch coupled to the second voltage source and the quantum well modulator for delivering the modulating voltage to the quantum well modulator in response to a first control signal;
• and
• a second switch coupled to the quantum well modulator and to a ground potential for returning a current associated with the modulating voltage to the second voltage source in response to a second control signal, wherein the processor is configured to determine a timing of the first and second control signals.

A method of controlling a quantum well modulator with a drive circuit, comprising:

• detecting an ambient temperature of the quantum well modulator;
• determining a bias voltage level based on the ambient temperature;
• determining a modulating voltage level based on the ambient temperature;
• delivering the bias voltage to the quantum well modulator;
• delivering pulses of the modulating voltage to the quantum well modulator in response to an incoming optical signal;
• and
• generating a first control signal and a second control signal such that the pulses of the modulation voltage are delivered to the quantum well modulator during a first interval via a first conduction path comprising a first switch and current is returned to the power supply during a second interval via a second conduction path comprising a second switch so as to minimize a power consumption of the drive circuit.