Abstract:
An optical modulator is formed to include an adjustable drive arrangement for dynamically adjusting the effective length of the optical signals path(s) within the modulator. Each modulator arm is partitioned into a plurality of segments, with each segment coupled to a separate electrical signal driver. Therefore, the effective length of each modulator arm will be a function of the number of drivers that are activated for each arm at any given point in time. A feedback arrangement may be used with the plurality of drivers to dynamically adjust the operation of the modulator by measuring the extinction ratio as a function of optical power, turning "on" or "off" individual drivers accordingly.
Abstract:
A current mirror circuit arrangement is formed to maintain a high output impedance when utilized with a relatively low voltage power supply. A common mode voltage regulator circuit is utilized in conjunction with the output branch of the current mirror to eliminate the need for an additional active device in series with the output transistor of a current mirror to control its drain voltage. The elimination of the second active device thus increases the available headroom for the output branch (i.e., adds one V DS )- The increased headroom in the inventive current mirror is particularly advantageous for low voltage applications, since it is capable of maintaining the high output impedance required for accurate mirroring of the input current.
Abstract:
A silicon-based optical modulator structure (20) includes one or more separate localized heating elements (22/24) for changing the refractive index of an associated portion of the structure and thereby providing corrective adjustments to address unwanted variations i device performance Heating is provided by thermo-optic devices such as, for example, silicon- based resistors, silicide resistors, forward-biased PN junctions, and the like, where any of these structures may easily be incorporated with a silicon-based optical modulator The application of a DC voltage to any of these structures will generate heat, which then transfers into the waveguiding are The increase in local temperature of the waveguiding area will, in turn, increase the refractive index of the waveguiding in the area Control of the applied DC voltage results in controlling the refractive index