Abstract: A controller for a laser driver includes a parameter generation module, a timing encoding module, and a pulse generation module. The parameter generation module is configured to, for each mark contained in a bit stream, generate a set of timing parameters based on defining characteristics of the bit stream. The defining characteristics include length of the mark and at least one of (i) a length of a leading space prior to the mark and (ii) a length of a following space subsequent to the mark. The timing encoding module is configured to determine a plurality of pulse defining parameters based on the set of timing parameters. The pulse generation module is configured to create a plurality of pulses based on the plurality of pulse defining parameters, combine the plurality of pulses into a plurality of enable signals, and output the plurality of enable signals to the laser driver.

Abstract: A method of controlling a laser driver includes determining a set of timing parameters in response to contents of a received bit stream. The method further includes creating a plurality of sets of pulse defining parameters in response to the set of timing parameters, and generating a plurality of generic pulses in response to the plurality of sets of pulse defining parameters. The method also includes combining the plurality of generic pulses into a plurality of enable signals, and creating a plurality of adapted enable signals by selectively replacing one of the plurality of enable signals with an alternative signal. The method further includes outputting the plurality of adapted enable signals to the laser driver.

Abstract: A driver comprising: a pattern module configured to generate a plurality of timing parameters in response to a received bit stream; a timing module configured to determine a plurality of multi-bit parameters in response to the timing parameters; and a pulse module configured to (i) generate each of a plurality of pulses in response to a different one of the plurality of multi-bit parameters, (ii) generate each of a plurality of enable signals in response to a variable combination of the plurality of pulses, and (iii) output the plurality of enable signals to a laser driver.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder includes a decision generator configured to generate a full decision output. An error detector is configured to detect errors in the full decision output and generate a signal when the full decision output errors are detected.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder includes an early decision generator that generates an early decision output. An error detector detects errors in the early decision output and generates a signal when the early decision output errors are detected.

Abstract: A driver includes a parameter generation module configured to generate timing parameters based upon a received bit stream. A timing encoding module is configured to determine a plurality of pulse defining parameters based on the timing parameters. A pulse generation module is configured to determine a plurality of generic pulses based on the plurality of pulse defining parameters. The pulse generation module is configured to combine the plurality of generic pulses into a plurality of enable signals. The pulse generation module is configured to selectively invert a first enable signal of the plurality of enable signals. The pulse generation module is configured to output the plurality of enable signals including the first enable signal to a laser driver.

Abstract: A driver control module comprises a parameter generation module, a timing encoding module, and a pulse generation module. The parameter generation module receives a bit stream and generates a set of timing parameters based upon contents of the bit stream. The timing encoding module receives the set of timing parameters from the parameter generation module and creates N sets of pulse defining parameters, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The pulse generation module creates N generic pulses using the sets of pulse defining parameters, combines the generic pulses into P enable signals, and outputs the enable signals to a laser driver, wherein P is an integer greater than one.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder that identifies errors in a full decision output comprises a full decision generator that generates the full decision output. An error detector detects errors in the full decision output and generates a signal when the full decision output errors are detected.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder that identifies errors in an early decision output comprises an early decision generator that generates the early decision output. An error detector detects errors in the early decision output and generates a signal when the early decision output errors are detected.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder identifies errors in an early decision output and includes an early decision generator that generates the early decision output. A full decision generator generates a full decision output. An error detector detects errors in the early decision output and generates a disable signal. A secondary early decision generator generates a secondary early decision output. The error detector includes a comparing circuit that disables a prior early decision output if the secondary early decision output is different than the prior early decision output. Alternately, a best path flag generator generates a best path flag when the Viterbi decoder identifies two best paths having the same path metric. A comparing circuit disables the early decision output if a prior secondary early decision output is different than the early decision output, the best path flag is true and a prior best path flag is true.