Abstract: A cable television (CATV) optical transmitter includes a tunable laser having a phase bias input and a gain bias input. The tunable laser generates an optical beam at an output. A semiconductor optical amplifier includes an electrical bias input and an optical input that is optically coupled to the output of the tunable laser. The semiconductor amplifier amplifies the optical beam generated by the tunable laser. An integrated balanced modulator includes an electrical modulation input that receives analog CATV signals and an optical input that is connected to the output of the semiconductor amplifier. A third order pre-distortion circuit includes an output that is electrically connected to a modulation input of the integrated balanced modulator. The 3rd order pre-distortion circuit generates a signal that, when combined with the analog CATV modulation signal, at least partially cancels third order distortions that are introduced during modulation.

Abstract: A cable television (CATV) optical transmitter includes a tunable laser having a phase bias input and a gain bias input. The tunable laser generates an optical beam at an output. A semiconductor optical amplifier includes an electrical bias input and an optical input that is optically coupled to the output of the tunable laser. The semiconductor amplifier amplifies the optical beam generated by the tunable laser. An integrated balanced modulator includes an electrical modulation input that receives analog CATV signals and an optical input that is connected to the output of the semiconductor amplifier. A third order pre-distortion circuit includes an output that is electrically connected to a modulation input of the integrated balanced modulator. The 3rd order pre-distortion circuit generates a signal that, when combined with the analog CATV modulation signal, at least partially cancels third order distortions that are introduced during modulation.