Method and system for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronic devices

• US 10,305,597 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2017
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Luxtera Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kucharski, Daniel, Welch, Brian, Abdalla, Sherif
• Primary Examiner(s): Sahle, Mahidere S
• Application Number:
  US15/407,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20170126325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 359237-297
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/06 for controlling the phase of light G02B26/08 takes precedence , measuring optical phase difference G01J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0121 Operation of devices; Circuit arrangements, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/212 Mach-Zehnder type
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/225 in an optical waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/2255 controlled by a high-frequency electromagnetic component in an electric waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/58 Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/0795 Performance monitoring; Measurement of transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/505 using external modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/5053 using a parallel, i.e. shunt, combination of modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/5161 Combination of different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/541 Digital intensity or amplitude modulation

Abstract

Methods and systems for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronics are disclosed and may include generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal utilizing an optical modulator driven by first and second electrical input signals, where the optical modulator may configure levels in the multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal, drivers are coupled to the optical modulator; and the first and second electrical input signals may be synchronized before being communicated to the drivers. The optical modulator may include optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into groups. The number of optical modular elements and groups may configure the number of levels in the multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal. Unit drivers may be coupled to each of the groups. The electrical input signals may be synchronized before communicating them to the unit drivers utilizing flip-flops. Phase addition may be synchronized utilizing one or more electrical delay lines.

Claims

1. A method for processing signals, the method comprising:

generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal, the multi-levels modulated directly in the optical domain utilizing an optical modulator driven by first and second electrical input signals, wherein;

said optical modulator configures more than two output levels in said multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal;

drivers are coupled to said optical modulator; and

said first and second electrical input signals are synchronized before being communicated to said drivers.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising selecting said first and second electrical input signals from a plurality of electrical input signals utilizing one or more multiplexers.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said one or more multiplexers selects an electrical input or a complement of said electrical input.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising synchronizing phase addition in a plurality of optical modulator elements in said optical modulator utilizing one or more electrical delay lines.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said optical modulator is integrated on a single substrate.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said single substrate comprises one of:

silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, or polymer-based materials.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said optical modulator comprises one or more ring modulators.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising measuring the configured levels utilizing one or more monitor photodiodes.

10. A method for processing signals, the method comprising:

generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal, the multi-levels modulated directly in the optical domain utilizing an optical modulator driven by first and second electrical input signals, wherein;

said optical modulator configures more than two output levels in said multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal;

one or more drivers are coupled to said optical modulator; and

said first and second electrical input signals are synchronized before being communicated to said one or more drivers.

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising selecting said first and second electrical input signals from a plurality of electrical input signals utilizing one or more multiplexers.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more multiplexers selects an electrical input or a complement of said electrical input.

13. The method according to claim 10, comprising synchronizing phase addition in a plurality of optical modular sections in said optical modulator utilizing one or more electrical delay lines.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said optical modulator is integrated on a single substrate.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said single substrate comprise one of:

silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, or polymer-based materials.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein said optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein said optical modulator comprises one or more ring modulators.

18. The method according to claim 10, comprising measuring the configured levels utilizing one or more monitor photodiodes.