Abstract: Controlling a thermo electric cooler (TEC) in a transceiver using a microcontroller. The microcontroller is used to control functionality in addition to the TEC control functionality. Specifically, the TEC is controlled using a control algorithm in the microcontroller. The microcontroller sends signals to a switching device that controls current through TEC.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for monitoring a photo-detector generates a highly compliant mirror current across a broad range of photo-detector current levels. The apparatus for monitoring includes: a pair of bipolar transistors and a first non-linear isolation element. The pair of transistors are connected in a mirror configuration with a sense transistor one of the pair of transistors sensing a photo-detector current and with a mirror transistor one of the pair of transistors mirroring the photo-detector current with a mirror current. The first non-linear isolation element has at least two terminals a first of which couples to the collector of the mirror transistor. The first non-linear isolation element exhibits a non-linear voltage drop between the at least two terminals in response to varying levels of the mirror current to improve compliance between the mirror current and the detector current. Methods and means for monitoring a photo-detector are also disclosed.

Abstract: The optical transceiver module includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transceiver module also includes an internal serial bus and a plurality of addressable components electrically coupled to the internal serial bus. Each of the addressable components included a serial interface for communicating with the internal serial bus, and a memory. Each addressable component also includes a unique address or chip select logic coupled to a controller via a chip select line. This allows data to be addressed to specific addressable components. The addressable components may include a laser driver, a laser bias controller, a power controller, a pre-amplifier, a post-amplifier, a laser wavelength controller, a main controller, a electrothermal cooler, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to analog converter, an APD bias controller, or any combination of the aforementioned components.

Abstract: An optical signal detector monitoring circuit can include a current divider current mirror (CDCM) and a current multiplier current mirror (CMCM). A mirror leg of the CDCM generates a current corresponding with a part of the CDCM's primary leg current. The CMCM's primary leg couples to the CDCM's mirror leg. The CMCM generates a mirror leg current corresponding with a multiple of its primary leg current. Another circuit can include a first current mirror having a primary current leg (PCL), coupled between an optical signal detector and one of an electrical source and an electrical sink, that exhibits a resistance corresponding with a part of the resistance of the first current mirror's mirror current leg (MCL). The circuit's second current mirror has a MCL that exhibits a resistance corresnonding with a part of the resistance of the second current mirror's PCL, which couples with the first current mirror's MCL.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for compensating a photo-detector allows both regulation and monitoring of the photo-detector to be performed with a common digital controller. The controller accepts input of monitored operational parameters including received signal strength and temperature. The controller provides as an output a bias control signal which regulates a positive the positive or negative side bias voltage power supply for the photo-detector. The controller maintains the bias voltage to the photo-detector at levels which optimize the gain and signal-to-noise ratios for the photo-detector thereby facilitating the decoding of the received signal over a broad range of signal strengths and temperatures. The controller includes a corresponding digital signal strength and temperature compensators the outputs of which summed with a summer to provide the bias control signal.

Abstract: An assembly and method for testing an optical subassembly by locally heating or cooling the optical subassembly. Locally heating or cooling the optical subassembly can include using a thermal transfer assembly. The thermal transfer assembly can include a thermoelectric cooler. A clamping assembly is provided to place the optical subassembly in electrical communication with a testing assembly. The thermal transfer assembly can be associated with the clamping assembly. After achieving the desired temperature, a data stream is transmitted through the optical subassembly and evaluated for compliance.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention the circuit for monitoring an optical signal detector comprises a current divider current mirror and a current multiplier current mirror. The current divider current mirror has a mirror leg and a primary leg. The primary leg is coupled to the optical signal detector. The current divider current mirror is configured to generate mirror leg current corresponding with a fraction of the primary leg current. The current multiplier current mirror has a mirror leg and a primary leg coupled to the mirror leg of the current divider current mirror. The current multiplier current mirror is configured to generate mirror leg current corresponding with a multiple of the primary leg current. In another embodiment the circuit comprises a first and second current mirror.

Abstract: The optical transceiver module includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transceiver module also includes an internal serial bus and a plurality of addressable components electrically coupled to the internal serial bus. Each of the addressable components included a serial interface for communicating with the internal serial bus, and a memory. Each addressable component also includes a unique address or chip select logic coupled to a controller via a chip select line. This allows data to be addressed to specific addressable components. The addressable components may include a laser driver, a laser bias controller, a power controller, a pre-amplifier, a post-amplifier, a laser wavelength controller, a main controller, a electrothermal cooler, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to analog converter, an APD bias controller, or any combination of the aforementioned components.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the reverse-bias voltage of an avalanche photodiode in a transceiver or receiver. The controller includes memory for storing information related to the avalanche photodiode, and analog to digital conversion circuitry for receiving an analog signal corresponding to the temperature of the avalanche photodiode, converting the received analog signal into a digital value, and storing the digital value in a predefined location within the memory. Control circuitry in the controller controls the operation of the avalanche photodiode in accordance with the digital value corresponding to the temperature of the avalanche photodiode and a temperature lookup table stored in the memory. A serial interface is provided to enable a host device to read from and write to locations within the memory.