Abstract: A method of recovering a clock signal from an optical signal received through an optical communications system. A digital sample stream is processed to generate a dispersion compensated signal. The dispersion compensated signal is then tapped to obtain upper side band and lower side band signals of each received polarization of the optical signal. The upper side band sand lower side band signals are then processed to compensate polarization dependent impairments and the clock recovered from the resulting optimized.

Abstract: A method of a conveying data through an optical communications system. An optical signal is received through the optical communication system, the optical signal comprising data symbols and SYNC bursts, each SYNC burst having a predetermined symbol sequence. The received optical signal is oversampled to generate a multi-bit sample stream. The sample stream is partitioned into blocks of contiguous samples, wherein each block of samples partially overlaps at least one other block of samples and encompasses at least one SYNC burst and a plurality of data symbols. Each block of samples is independently processed to detect a value of each data symbol.

Abstract: An O/E conversion element converts an input NRZ optical signal into an electric signal. A clock recovery circuit recovers a clock signal from the electric signal obtained by the O/E conversion element. A phase modulator applies phase modulation to the NRZ optical signal, using the recovered clock signal. An intensity modulator applies intensity modulation to the NRZ optical signal, using the recovered clock signal. A dispersion medium compensates for a frequency chirp of an optical signal output from the intensity modulator.

Abstract: An optical signal regenerative repeater is provided including at least one first optical 3R repeater based on an optical communication signal pulse, regenerating the optical communication signal pulse. The first optical 3R repeater comprises a first clock extraction unit extracting a clock from the optical communication signal pulse and generating a first optical clock pulse synchronized with the extracted clock. The first optical 3R repeater also comprises a first optical gate, which is opened and closed in accordance with a control light corresponding to the optical communication signal pulse, which receives as a controlled light the first optical clock pulse generated by the first clock extraction unit, and which generates a first regenerated signal pulse corresponding to said optical communication signal pulse. Further, a pulse time width of the control light and the controlled light is different.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery circuit includes even and odd latches, a detection module, a clock recovery module, a compensating module, and a data recovery module. The even and odd latches are operably coupled to latch even and odd bits of a digital stream of data based on a recovered clock to produce even and odd latched bits. The detection module is operably coupled to produce a phase representative pulse stream based on the even and odd latched bits. The clock recovery module is operably coupled to produce the recovered clock based on the phase representative pulse stream. The compensating module is operably coupled to adjust biasing of the even and odd latches based on operating parameter changes of the clock and data recovery circuit. The data recovery module is operably coupled to produce recovered data from the even and odd latched bits based on the recovered clock.

Abstract: Simultaneous recovery of several different clock signals is based on coupling an optical input signal into an optical resonator matched with at least four spectral peaks of the input signal. The input signal having arbitrary polarization is divided by a polarizing splitter into a first signal having horizontal polarization and a second signal having vertical polarization. The polarization of the first signal is rotated 90 degrees such that the polarization of the first signal is parallel to the vertical polarization second signal. Both vertically polarized signals are passed through the same optical resonator in opposite directions, and they are combined after passing through the resonator in order to form an output signal. The spectral separation between the first peak and the second peak is equal to a first clock frequency, and the spectral separation between the third peak and the fourth peak is equal to a second clock frequency.

Abstract: The 3R regeneration system for a retiming, reshaping, and reamplifying an optical signal includes: first and second input ports in which a connected optical signal is input; an interferometer including first and second branches formed on a substrate, split at a common input node, combined at a common output node, semiconductor optical amplifiers in each of the first and second branches, the first branch being connected to the first input port, and the common input node being connected to the second input port; a self-pulsating laser diode monolithically integrated with the interferometer between one of the first input port and the first branch, and the second input port and the common input node on the substrate, receiving an optical signal, and outputting the optical signal regenerated by optical injection locking; and an output port connected to the common output node.

Abstract: A receiver (10) for an optical signal containing a time jitter and a time-varying distortion caused by a periodic polarization scrambled signal comprises at least one decision gate (11) and a clock recovery module (13) providing a clock signal (C) recovered from the optical signal to the at least one decision gate (11). The receiver (10) further comprises a scrambling frequency generator (16) synchronized to the scrambling frequency and phase of the polarization scrambled signal, a jitter function generator (17) generating a clock phase control signal (??b) reproducing the time jitter, and at least one clock phase modulator (14) modulating the phase of the clock signal (C) according to the clock phase control signal (??b).

Abstract: The invention relates to clock recovery in optical communication systems. Optical clock frequencies are recovered from a plurality of optical channels by using a single optical resonator. The optical resonator is matched with the carrier frequencies and the sideband frequencies of the data signals sent at different channels. The separation range of the optical resonator is selected such that the clock frequency of at least one data signal is substantially equal to the separation range of the optical resonator multiplied by an integer greater than or equal to two. The method according to the invention allows the use of different clock frequencies at different optical channels. Furthermore, the method provides considerable freedom to select the spectral positions of the optical channels.

Abstract: A clock recovery device adapted to recover at least one clock signal from an optical input signal. The input signal includes at least one data signal. The clock recovery device-includes a first waveguide, a first optical resonator coupled to the first waveguide, a second optical resonator coupled to the first waveguide, and a combiner to combine signals provided by the first optical resonator and the second optical resonator in order to provide an output signal. A passband of the first optical resonator is matched with a first spectral peak of the input signal, and a passband of the second optical resonator is matched with a second spectral peak of the input signal such that the spectral separation between the first and the second peaks is equal to a clock frequency associated with a first data signal. The optical resonators store optical energy and provide an output also when the data signal is zero.

Abstract: An optical receiving apparatus sets, efficiently and optimally, a delay interferometer and a variable wavelength dispersion compensator in the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for frame detection and generation. Each incoming clock-data stream is divided into two independent data streams: a clock path which preserves the timing of the individual clock domains and a data path which multiplexes an arbitrary number of data streams onto a parallel path. A framer array structure implements a context swap and synchronizes the data streams.

Abstract: An optical clock signal recovery apparatus includes a mode-locked semiconductor laser that generates an optical pulse train polarized in a first direction. Optical components of the apparatus transmit a component of an input optical signal polarized in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, into the mode-locked semiconductor laser while blocking the component of the input optical signal polarized in the first direction, and transmit light exiting the mode-locked semiconductor laser polarized in the first direction, while blocking light exiting the mode-locked semiconductor laser polarized in the second direction. The transmitted exiting light is output as a recovered optical clock signal.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for making time alignment for a data transmission system. A first reference clock signal is provided to a first multiplexer coupled to a data modulator through a data driver, and a second reference clock signal is provided to a second multiplexer coupled to a clock modulator through a clock driver. Phase adjustment of the reference clock signal are conducted before the first reference clock signal is provided to the first multiplexer, wherein the phase adjustment aligns a timing of data modulated by the data modulator with a periodically modulated light source generated by the clock modulator.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for testing the performance of an optical transceiver by referencing various performance clocks provided by an OTU2 signal connection transceiver and an STM-64/OC-192 signal. The apparatus for testing performance of an optical transceiver includes: a transmitter/receiver reference clock selector for selecting one of various transmitter/receiver reference clocks provided by an STM-64/OC-192 connection optical transceiver or an OTN connection optical transceiver; a transmitter test reference clock selection switch for selecting a receiver data synchronous clock provided by the transceivers or the selected transmitter/receiver reference clock as a transmitter test reference clock; and a receiver test reference clock selection switch for selecting a transmitter supervisory clock provided by the transceivers or the selected transmitter/receiver reference clock as a receiver test reference clock.

Abstract: A multiplexer of a transmission section generates a clock signal by multiplying a reference clock signal of a digital image signal by a predetermined number ‘K’. A parallel digital image signal is converted into a serial digital signal on the basis of the clock signal, and the serial digital signal is converted into an optical signal in an optical transmission section for transmitting. A demultiplexer extracts a reception clock signal from a serial digital reception signal which is converted into an electric signal in an optical reception section of a reception section, the serial digital reception signal is converted into a parallel signal and a signal corresponding to the parallel digital image signal on the basis of the reception clock signal, and a clock signal corresponding to the reference clock signal is recovered by multiplying the reception clock signal by ‘1/K’.

Abstract: An electrical signal regenerator including an equalizer and a clock data recovery circuit is provided. The clock data recovery circuit is selected when an input signal of a higher bitrate multiplex level is detected, but the clock data recovery circuit is bypassed when an input signal of a lower bitrate multiplex signal is detected. The electrical signal regenerator can be used in an optical switch processing signals of the new OTN according to ITU-T G.709, in which optical signals undergo optical to electrical conversion and are fed to an electrical space switching matrix including a plurality of the switch modules electrically interconnected by means of internal electrical signal paths such as a backplane or electrical cables. The electrical signal regenerator can be coupled to each input of a switching module to check internal cabling of the switching matrix.

Abstract: A wavelength converter for binary optical signals includes an interferometer structure (110) for generating an output signal by modulating a received local signal (LS) according to the modulation of a fUrther received first input signal (IS 1). When such interferometer structures (110) are operated in a standard mode it is known in the art to control the power of the input signal such that the extinction ratio of the output signal is kept minimal. The invention also controls the power of the input signals to achieve the minimal extinction ratio when the wavelength converter and in particular the interferometer structure (110) is operated in a differential mode receiving two input signals.

Abstract: An optically sampling device optically samples an optical analog signal using a sampled signal having a predetermined sampling frequency, and outputs control light having a pulse train of an optically sampled optical analog signal. A signal generating device generates a pulse train of signal light which is synchronized with the sampled signal. An optical encoding device optically encodes the pulse train of the signal light according to the control light, by using optical encoders each including nonlinear optical loop mirrors, and outputs pulse trains of optically encoded signal light from said optical encoders, respectively. An optically quantizing device performs optical threshold processing on the pulse trains of optically-encoded signal light to optically quantize them, by using at least one of optical threshold processors each of which is connected to each of said optical encoders and includes a nonlinear optical device, and outputs optically quantized pulse trains as optical digital signals.

Abstract: Detecting a pulse of a signal includes receiving the signal and a light beam. The signal drives a spatial light modulator to modulate the light beam, where the complex amplitude of the modulated light beam is proportional to the signal current. The modulated light beam passes through an optical system and is detected by an optical detector array. A processor identifies a portion of the signal comprising the pulse.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple-channel line card. The system includes a first photonic integrated device configured to receive a first optical signal and output a first plurality of electrical signals for a first plurality of channels respectively. The first plurality of channels corresponds to a first plurality of wavelength ranges associated with the first optical signal. Additionally, the system includes a first clock and recovery device configured to receive the first plurality of electric signals and retime the first plurality of electric signals, and a first switch coupled to the first clock and recovery device, a first interface, and a second interface. Moreover, the system includes the first interface configured to output a second plurality of electrical signals to another system for multiple-channel line card, and the second interface configured to couple with one or more plugged first channel devices.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting digital symbols carried in a received optical signal. The system comprises a functional element operative to receive a stream of samples of an electrical signal derived from the received optical signal and to evaluate a non-linear function of each received sample, thereby to produce a stream of processed samples. The system also comprises a detector operative to render decisions about individual symbols present in the received optical signal on the basis of the stream of processed samples. In an embodiment, the non-linear function computes substantially the square root of each received sample.

Abstract: A receiver for a differentially phase shift keying formatted optical signal, such as an RZ-DPSK formatted optical signal. Dither control loops are provided for controlling path length in a demodulator and/or for controlling the center wavelength of an optical band pass filter. A feedback loop is provided for controlling the gain of a pre-amplifier, and a method of protecting against optical transients by disabling a pre-amplifier is also provided. A preset delay may be provided to compensate for the differential delay in paths associated with the demodulator arms. When the signal is an RZ-DPSK modulated signal, a clock for retiming data from the optical signal may be derived from a signal on the data path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for multi-rate, high-sensitivity CDR, including a variable/adjustable decision threshold, RF input clock recovery, and OE conversion feature. The system includes an optical input connector, CDR circuit, decision threshold circuit, internal power supply, OE converter, external electrical output, and multiple clock outputs. The system is assembled in a single, stand-alone unit. The system includes an OC-192 data output, and OC-192 (9.953-10.709 GHz) and ¼ OC-48 (2.488-2.677 GHz) clock outputs. The decision threshold level is adjustable and optimized by a system user. The system is also used in combination with a digital communications analyzer. A recovered clock of the CDR circuit provides trigger for the DCA. The system includes an electrical input connector. Optionally, the system triggers directly from an RF electrical input in substitution of an optical input.

Abstract: A testing device for testing an electronic device is provided. The testing device includes: a deterministic jitter application unit for applying deterministic jitter to a given input signal without causing an amplitude modulation component and supplying the input signal with the deterministic jitter to the electronic device; a jitter amount controller for controlling the magnitude of the deterministic jitter generated by the deterministic jitter application unit; and a determination unit for determining whether or not the electronic device is defective based on an output signal output from the electronic device in accordance with the input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting at least a digital optical signal with return-to-zero phase-shift keying, employing a single optical modulator with dual-drive design, the encoded optical signal having improved spectral efficiency and performances and being generated by transmitters with simplified scheme; an optical communication system comprising the transmitting apparatus, a transmission line and an apparatus to receive the optical signal.

Abstract: A technique for synchronizing the servo control systems between two optical wireless links (OWLs) that are in communication with one another. This synchronization allows the alignment in time of the various tasks to be assigned in a desired time period. The synchronization is not intended to synchronize the two OWLs down to the processor clock level, but rather at the servo sampling level, preferably to within a few percent of the servo sampling time. This synchronization may be advantageous in improving processor efficiency and control loop performance, and or improving system calibrations.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for generating an optical return-to-zero (RZ) signal using an electronic integrated circuit that generates an electric RZ signal. The apparatus for generating an optical RZ signal includes an electronic integrated circuit generating an electric return-to-zero (RZ) signal based on an input data signal and a clock signal, a driving amplifier amplifying the electric RZ signal, a light source outputting a carrier having a predetermined wavelength, and a modulator modulating the carrier according to the amplified RZ signal. The electronic integrated circuit can be constructed in a single electronic circuit chip, and thus the size of the optical transmission system can be reduced.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for optically extracting a clock signal, that can be realized at low costs while minimizing an influence by input patterns and noises. In the method, optical signals having predetermined wavelength components are extracted using two FBG filters in order to extract a clock component from an input optical signal. After that, an influence by input filters is minimized by passing the extracted optical signals having the predetermined wavelengths through a Fabry-Perot filter.

Abstract: The preset invention provides an optical data link that prevents the internal I2C bus system from being hung up. The data link provides a CPU able to receive a reset signal and an IC (PHY) to control the physical layer to communicate with the outside of the data link, and they are coupled via the internal I2C bus system. When the data link receives a reset signal, the PHY behaves as the slave device, while, the controller behaves as the master device to output dummy clocks on the clock line of the I2C bus so as to sweep left data on the data line of the I2C bus.

Abstract: Burst mode clock and data recovery (BCDR) circuit and method capable of fast data recovery of passive optical network (PON) traffic. An over-sampled data stream is generated from an input burst data signal and a phase interpolator generates sampling clock signals using a reference clock and phase information. A phase estimation unit (PEU) determines a phase error in the over-sampled data streams; and a phase retrieval unit sets the phase interpolator with the respective phase information of the input burst data signal prior to reception of the input burst data signal.

Abstract: The present photonic RF generation and distribution system provides a system and method for distributing an RF output signal. The photonic RF distribution system includes two optical sources for generating optical signals. A first optical source (42) is operable to generate a first optical signal having an operating frequency. A second optical source (44) is operable to generate a second optical signal having an operating frequency. A modulator (46) is operable to impress an RF modulation signal on a tapped portion of the first optical signal such that a modulated signal is generated. A first coupler (52) combines the modulated signal with a tapped portion of the second optical signal, thereby forming a combined signal having a difference frequency component. A control photodetector (50) is responsive to the combined signal to generate a tone signal.

Abstract: An encoding and/or decoding communication system comprises a framer interface, an encoder, a multiplexer, an output driver, and a clock multiplier unit (CMU). The encoder includes an input latch circuitry stage; an output latch circuitry stage; an intermediate latch circuitry stage interposed between the input latch circuitry stage and the output latch circuitry stage, the intermediate latch circuitry stage coupled to the input latch circuitry stage and the output latch circuitry stage; a plurality of encoding logic circuitry stages interposed between the input latch circuitry stage and the output latch circuitry stage, a last one of the plurality of encoding logic circuitry stages placed adjacent to the output latch circuitry stage and coupled to the output latch circuitry stage; and a feedback between the output latch circuitry stage and the last one of the plurality of encoding logic circuitry stages.

Abstract: All optical clock recovery includes a transmitter for generating an optical timing signal. The transmitter includes a semiconductor laser for the production of a dynamically synchronizable timing signal, the laser having an external resonator for feedback of the timing signal to the laser, the feedback having a delay time greater than a relaxation oscillation time for the laser, and the laser outputting an optical timing signal having a characteristic dynamic. The transmitter supplies the optical timing signal to a receiver configured to receive the timing signal and to synchronize to the laser on receipt of the timing signal, such that the receiver outputs a recovered timing signal having the characteristic dynamic.

Abstract: The inventors propose herein a switch fabric architecture that allows broadcasting and fast channel access in the ns-range. In various embodiments of the present invention, 10 Gb/s receiver modules are based on a novel heterodyne receiver and detection technique, which is tolerant to moderate wavelength drifts of a local oscillator. A gain clipped electrical amplifier is used in the novel receiver as a rectifier for bandpass signal recovery.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to present a transport stream having (i) audio/video data, (ii) video presentation time stamps, and (iii) audio presentation time stamps. The second circuit may have one or more phase locked loop circuits and a control circuit. The control circuit may. be configured to synchronize the playback of the audio/video data by adjusting a fractional divider of one or more of the phase locked loop circuits.

Abstract: In a clock signal extraction system, an optical modulator modulates an input optical signal having its clock frequency equal to a first or second frequency with a modulation electrical signal having its frequency equal to the average of the first and second frequencies to output a modulated optical pulse signal to a phase comparator, which receives a reference electrical signal generated by a reference signal generator and having its frequency half as high as a difference between the first and second frequencies to compare in phase the modulated optical pulse signal with the reference electrical signal to output a resultant phase comparison signal to a modulation electrical signal generator, which in turn outputs a modulation electrical signal to the optical modulator and clock signal generator, which generates a signal with the modulation and reference electrical signals mixed, and outputs the signal at first or second frequency as a clock signal.

Abstract: An oversampling delay is provided between clock and data signals by steering a current between first and second nodes. The first node is coupled to an input differential pair of a clock interpolator and a delayed differential pair of a data interpolator. The second node is coupled to an input differential pair of the data interpolator and a delayed differential pair of the clock interpolator. First clock and data signals are provided to a first data sampling element and, respectively, to the clock and data interpolators. Second clock and data signals, respectively output from the clock and data interpolators, are provided to a second data sampling element. Additional data sampling elements may be linked to form a longer chain of data sampling elements.

Abstract: A heterodyne communication system uses coherent data modulation that is resistant to phase noise. In particular, a pilot tone and reference clock signal are transmitted along with the modulated data to form the basis of an electrical demodulation local oscillator at the receiver. The pilot tone and/or reference clock signal carry phase noise which is correlated with the phase noise in the data signal. At the receiver, the local oscillator is generated from the pilot tone and reference clock signal in a manner so that the local oscillator also has phase noise which is correlated with the phase noise in the data signal. Thus, the two noise components can be used to cancel each other during demodulation of the data signal using the local oscillator.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for performing optical phase modulation according to a data signal and further applying optical intensity modulation in synchronization with clock signals and transmitting the optical signals, wherein in order to maintain the phase difference between the data signal and the clock signal constant with a simple configuration, the optical transmitter is configured so that clock signals are not individually supplied from the outside, but a clock component thereof is extracted from the data signal itself and a clock signal recovered based on the extracted clock component is defined as the clock signal. For this purpose, the configuration is made so that a clock recovery function unit is newly introduced.

Abstract: In an optical signal monitoring method in wavelength multiplexing and an optical network, an area corresponding to a characteristic pattern of an eye pattern of an optical signal to be monitored, which characterizes a deterioration, is extracted from a database storing a map which associates a quality deterioration factor and deterioration amount of the optical signal with the characteristic pattern of the area of the eye pattern of the optical signal. The extracted pattern is collated with the map stored in the database to monitor the quality deterioration factor and deterioration amount of the optical signal, an occurrence time of a deterioration, duration of a deterioration, a deterioration occurrence cycle, and a deterioration duration cycle. An optical signal monitoring apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The discrimination phase margin monitor circuit (10) of the present invention comprises a first discrimination circuit (11 and 12) discriminating an input data signal using a clock signal extracted from the input data signal, a second discrimination circuit (13 and 14) discriminating the input data signal using a clock signal with a frequency different from that of the clock and an operation circuit (15 and 16) calculating the exclusive OR of the output signal of the first discrimination circuit and that of the second discrimination circuit and obtaining a phase margin monitor output signal by averaging the exclusive ORs.

Abstract: An optical communication system configured to operate with optical signals at lower signal to noise ratios than previously contemplated. The communication system includes a receiver having an optical pre-processor coupled between a demultiplexer and a detector. The optical pre-processor includes either an optical polarization section having a polarization rotator and an optical polarizer, a phase modulation section that includes a phase modulator and a dispersion element and a clock recovery circuit, or an amplitude modulation section that includes an amplitude modulator clock recovery circuit and a spectral shaping filter.

Abstract: A receiver for a differentially phase shift keying formatted optical signal, such as an RZ-DPSK formatted optical signal. Dither control loops are provided for controlling path length in a demodulator and/or for controlling the center wavelength of an optical band pass filter. A feedback loop is provided for controlling the gain of a pre-amplifier, and a method of protecting against optical transients by disabling a pre-amplifier is also provided. A preset delay may be provided to compensate for the differential delay in paths associated with the demodulator arms. When the signal is an RZ-DPSK modulated signal, a clock for retiming data from the optical signal may be derived from a signal on the data path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a data signal for transmission to a remote device transmits at least two synchronized copies of the data signal, in optical form, in different directions. To that end, the data signal first is synchronized to a clock signal to produce a composite signal. The composite signal then is converted to an optical signal, which is referred to as an “outgoing signal.” A plurality of copies of the outgoing signal then are transmitted. At least two copies of the outgoing signal are transmitted in different directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to none return to zero (NRZ) modulation method. The NRZ optical modulation is performed by combining a clock signal and NRZ data at a sending end and signal distortion capable of being generated when the clock signal and the NRZ data are combined is optimized by controlling the magnitude and phase of the clock signal. At the receiving end, the clock signal is extracted by performing narrow band band-pass filtering of the detected optical signal transmitted from a transmitter and data is recovered using the clock signal. Therefore, a receiver structure for clock extraction is simpler, an error rate of data recovery is lower by clearly extracting the clock signal, and transmission distance of the optical signal is longer.

Abstract: A high-speed bit stream interface module interfaces a high-speed communication media to a communication Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) via a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The high-speed bit stream interface includes a line side interface, a board side interface, and a signal conditioning circuit. The signal conditioning circuit services each of an RX path and a TX path and includes a limiting amplifier and a clock and data recovery circuit. The signal conditioning circuit may also include an equalizer and/or an output pre-emphasis circuit. The clock and data recovery circuit has an adjustable Phase Locked Loop (PLL) bandwidth that is set to correspond to a jitter bandwidth of a serviced high-speed bit stream.

Abstract: A high-speed bit stream interface module interfaces a high-speed communication media to a communication Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) via a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The high-speed bit stream interface includes a line side interface, a board side interface, and a signal conditioning circuit. The signal conditioning circuit services each of an RX path and a TX path and includes a limiting amplifier and a clock and data recovery circuit. The signal conditioning circuit may also include an equalizer and/or an output pre-emphasis circuit. The limiting amplifier applies respective gains to the RX path and to the TX path that are based upon respective dynamic ranges of the incoming signals.

Abstract: In an optical transmitting or receiving apparatus, a plurality of replaceable electro-optic converters or a plurality of replaceable opto-electric converters are provided in correspondence with optical transmission lines.

Abstract: An optical receiver in an optical communication system, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for optimizing a decision level of a signal output from an optical receiver to obtain a minimum bit error rate (BER) by measuring output characteristics of the optical receiver and adjusting a reference voltage of the optical receiver based on a measurement result. The provided method includes measuring the strength of an electric signal at a modulated frequency out of the frequency elements of the output electric signal in the optical receiver, generating a reference voltage based on the strength data of the electric signal, inputting the reference voltage to the optical receiver and re-measuring the strength of the electric signal output from the optical receiver to determine whether the strength of the signal is minimum, and maintaining the reference voltage when the strength of the signal is minimum and adjusting the reference voltage in other cases.