Multi-segment Mach-Zehnder modulator-driver system
First Claim
1. An optical modulator comprising:
- a waveguide for propagating an optical signal comprising;
a proximate arm; and
a distal arm; and
a plurality of proximate diodes positioned along the proximate arm of the waveguide and a plurality of distal diodes positioned along the distal arm of the waveguide, wherein the plurality of proximate diodes are configured to modulate a proximate portion of the optical signal, wherein the plurality of distal diodes are configured to modulate a distal portion of the optical signal, wherein one of the plurality of proximate diodes and one of the plurality of distal diodes form a proximate diode and distal diode pair,wherein each proximate diode and distal diode pair is coupled to a primary output of a segment driver such that the primary output of the segment driver is coupled to a first interface of a proximate diode and a second interface of a distal diode of each proximate diode and distal diode pair, and wherein the first interface of the proximate diode and the second interface of the distal diode are opposite signed interfaces.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical modulator comprising a waveguide for propagating an optical signal comprising a proximate arm configured to communicate a proximate portion of the optical signal, and a distal arm configured to communicate a distal portion of the optical signal, a proximate diode configured to modulate the proximate portion of the optical signal, a distal diode configured to modulate the distal portion of the optical signal, and an electrical input electrically coupled to opposite signed interfaces of the proximate diode and the distal diode such that an electrical driving signal propagated along the electrical input causes an equal and opposite modulation of the proximate portion of the optical signal in the proximate arm of the waveguide and the distal portion of the optical signal in the distal arm of the waveguide.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical modulator comprising:
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a waveguide for propagating an optical signal comprising; a proximate arm; and a distal arm; and a plurality of proximate diodes positioned along the proximate arm of the waveguide and a plurality of distal diodes positioned along the distal arm of the waveguide, wherein the plurality of proximate diodes are configured to modulate a proximate portion of the optical signal, wherein the plurality of distal diodes are configured to modulate a distal portion of the optical signal, wherein one of the plurality of proximate diodes and one of the plurality of distal diodes form a proximate diode and distal diode pair, wherein each proximate diode and distal diode pair is coupled to a primary output of a segment driver such that the primary output of the segment driver is coupled to a first interface of a proximate diode and a second interface of a distal diode of each proximate diode and distal diode pair, and wherein the first interface of the proximate diode and the second interface of the distal diode are opposite signed interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A single-drive multi-segment optical modulator system comprising:
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an optical modulator comprising; a proximate waveguide arm configured to communicate a proximate half of an optical signal; a distal waveguide arm configured to communicate a distal half of the optical signal; and a plurality of modulator segments such that each modulator segment is configured to modulate a corresponding electrical signal input onto both the proximate waveguide arm and the distal waveguide arm, wherein each modulator segment comprises a proximate diode positioned across the proximate waveguide arm and a distal diode positioned across the distal waveguide arm, wherein the proximate diode and the distal diode of each modulator segment forms a proximate diode and distal diode pair; and a drive circuit electrically coupled to the optical modulator and comprising a plurality of drivers corresponding to the plurality of modulator segments such that each driver of the plurality of drivers comprises a primary output configured to provide a primary electrical signal to the corresponding modulator segment, wherein each proximate diode and distal diode pair is coupled to the primary output of the driver such that the primary output of the driver is coupled to a first interface of a proximate diode and a second interface of a distal diode of each proximate diode and distal diode pair, and wherein the first interface and the second interface of each of the proximate diode and the distal diode are opposite signed interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of optical modulation, comprising
propagating, by a waveguide of an optical modulator, an optical signal by: -
modulating, by a plurality of proximate diodes positioned along a proximate arm of the waveguide, a proximate portion of an optical signal; and modulating, by a plurality of distal diodes positioned along a distal arm of the waveguide, a distal portion of the optical signal, wherein one of the plurality of proximate diodes and one of the plurality of distal diodes form a proximate diode and distal diode pair, wherein each proximate diode and distal diode pair is coupled to a primary output of a segment driver such that the primary output of the segment driver is coupled to a first interface of a proximate diode and a second interface of a distal diode of each proximate diode and distal diode pair, and wherein the first interface of the proximate diode and the second interface of the distal diode are opposite signed interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification