Optical receiver with threshold voltage compensation

A method of receiving an optical data signal, the method comprising:

• a. generating a voltage detection signal proportional to an intensity of the optical data signal;
• b. generating a decision threshold voltage signal by measuring a difference between the optical data signal and an inverse of the optical data signal;
• and
• c. generating a data signal and an inverse data signal that are proportional to a difference between the voltage detection signal and the decision threshold voltage signal, wherein the decision threshold voltage signal is chosen to maintain a substantially constant differential voltage between the data signal and the inverse data signal independent of an amplitude of the data signal, thereby reducing bit error rate during fluctuations in the intensity of the optical data signal.

An optical receiver comprising:

• a. a means for generating a voltage detection signal proportional to an intensity of a received optical data signal;
• b. a means for generating a data signal and an inverse data signal that are proportional to a difference between the voltage detection signal and a decision threshold voltage signal,
• c. a means for measuring a difference between the data signal and the inverse data signal;
• and
• d. a means for adjusting the decision threshold voltage signal from the measurement of the difference between the data signal and the inverse data signal to maintain a substantially constant differential voltage between the data signal and the inverse data signal independent of an amplitude of the data signal.