Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters.

Abstract: A pluggable small form factor optical transmitter is described. The optical transmitter can be plugged into an optical transmission unit which may hold many optical transmitters. The optical transmitter includes an analog laser for QAM transmissions, a TEC driver, pre-distortion circuitry, a microprocessor, and an automatic power control circuit and dither tone level control capability. The optical transmitter may have receptacle optical ports such as LC or SC type, also it may include a pin connector for mating with the optical transmission unit and a latch mechanism to secure the optical transmitter in the optical transmission unit.

Abstract: A burst mode laser transmitter includes a burst mode laser diode and a controller having an input for receiving an RF data signal. The controller includes a triggering arrangement and a modulation arrangement. The triggering arrangement is configured to bias the laser diode to an on-state bias level when an RF data signal is present at the input to the controller and to an off-state bias level when no RF data signal is present at the input to the controller. The modulation arrangement is configured to modulate the on-state bias level at which the laser diode is biased with the RF data signal only when the RF data signal is present at the input of the controller.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a light receiving element such as an avalanche photodiode (APD) for converting an optical signal to an electrical photocurrent amplified by a first current gain value and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the light receiving element. The optical receiver also includes a control unit configured to control a bias voltage applied to the light receiving element such that the first gain value is adjusted to a second gain value based at least in part on a predetermined relationship between the current gain, the temperature and the applied bias voltage. The second current gain value is based at least in part on one or more parameters characteristic of the optical receiver and a system in which the optical receiver is employed.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a light receiving element such as an avalanche photodiode (APD) for converting an optical signal to an electrical photocurrent amplified by a first current gain value and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the light receiving element. The optical receiver also includes a control unit configured to control a bias voltage applied to the light receiving element such that the first gain value is adjusted to a second gain value based at least in part on a predetermined relationship between the current gain, the temperature and the applied bias voltage. The second current gain value is based at least in part on one or more parameters characteristic of the optical receiver and a system in which the optical receiver is employed.

Abstract: A burst mode laser transmitter includes a burst mode laser diode and a controller having an input for receiving an RF data signal. The controller includes a triggering arrangement and a modulation arrangement. The triggering arrangement is configured to bias the laser diode to an on-state bias level when an RF data signal is present at the input to the controller and to an off-state bias level when no RF data signal is present at the input to the controller. The modulation arrangement is configured to modulate the on-state bias level at which the laser diode is biased with the RF data signal only when the RF data signal is present at the input of the controller.

Abstract: A pluggable small form factor optical receiver is described. The optical receiver can be plugged into an optical receiver unit which may hold many optical receivers. The optical receiver includes a photo-detector, a pre-amplification stage, and an attenuator. The optical receiver may have receptacle optical ports such as LC or SC type, also it may include a pin connector for mating with the optical receiver unit and a latch mechanism to secure the optical receiver in the optical receiver unit.

Abstract: A pluggable small form factor optical transmitter is described. The optical transmitter can be plugged into an optical transmission unit which may hold many optical transmitters. The optical transmitter includes an analog laser for QAM transmissions, a TEC driver, pre-distortion circuitry, a microprocessor, and an automatic power control circuit and dither tone level control capability. The optical transmitter may have receptacle optical ports such as LC or SC type, also it may include a pin connector for mating with the optical transmission unit and a latch mechanism to secure the optical transmitter in the optical transmission unit.

Abstract: The present invention allows an operator to individually control the power level of each communication channel in a network without affecting other parameters of the channels. Each optical transmitter contains a voltage controlled variable optical attenuator which is controlled by a microcontroller to attenuate the optical communication signal to a desired level. The operator can adjust each transmitter separately to overcome the variability in the output optical power of each transmitter, the flatness of the WDM component, EDFA flatness, dispersion of the fiber, etc.

Abstract: A transceiver and method of fabrication where the housing comprises a carrier upon which the source and photodetector are mounted and a cover. The housing includes an integral wall extending between the source and photodetector so as to electrically isolate the two devices. The cover may physically contact the wall to provide grounding for the cover.