Electro-absorption modulator adaptive equalizer systems and methods

An adaptive equalizer configured to be coupled to a photonic radio frequency (RF) converter comprising a modulator, the adaptive equalizer comprising:

• a modulator bias controller;
• a processor coupled to the modulator bias controller;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including
• generating optimal bias settings of the modulator for frequencies of interest;
• storing, in the memory, each of the generated optimal bias settings of the modulator in a lookup table;
• receiving, at the processor, a tuning word/command indicating a selected range of frequencies to be processed by the photonic RF converter;
• selecting, from the lookup table and responsive to the receiving, a first optimal bias setting from the optimal bias settings of the modulator based on the selected range of frequencies indicated by the tuning word/command;
• and
• adjusting a bias of the modulator via the modulator bias controller based on the first optimal bias setting, the adjusting the bias of the modulator providing adaptive equalization of a flatness response of the photonic RF converter.

A method for adaptive equalization in a communication system having a photonic radio frequency (RF) converter that includes a modulator, the method comprising:

• generating, at a processor of the communication system, optimal modulator bias settings for frequencies of interest;
• storing, at a memory of the communication system coupled to the processor, the generated optimal modulator bias settings in a lookup table;
• receiving, at the processor, data indicating a selected range of frequencies to be processed by the communication system;
• determining, responsive to the receiving, a first optimal modulator bias setting from the optimal modulator bias settings stored in the lookup table based on the selected range of frequencies;
• and
• adjusting, responsive to the determining, a bias of the modulator based on the first optimal modulator bias, the adjusting causing the modulator to adaptively equalize a flatness response of the photonic RF converter.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a processor of a communication system, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

• generating optimal bias settings for frequencies of interest;
• storing the generated optimal bias settings in a lookup table;
• receiving, at the processor, data indicating a selected range of frequencies to be processed;
• selecting, responsive to the receiving, a first optimal bias setting from the optimal bias settings stored in the lookup table based on the selected range of frequencies;
• and
• adjusting, responsive to the selecting, a bias of an optical modulator of the communication system based on the selected optimal bias, the adjusting causing the optical modulator to adaptively equalize a flatness response of the communication system.