An optical modulator for generating quadrature amplitude modulation (nQAM) and phase-shift keying (nPSK) signals with tunable modulation efficiency. The modulator includes a controlling circuit for adjusting the modulation efficiency or modulation depth of the modulator by controlling the direct current (DC) bias.

The present invention relates to telecommunication techniques and integrated circuit (IC) devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an off-quadrature modulation system. Once an off-quadrature modulation position is determined, a ratio between DC power transfer amplitude and dither tone amplitude for a modulator is as a control loop target to stabilize off-quadrature modulation. DC power transfer amplitude is obtained by measuring and sampling the output of an optical modulator. Dither tone amplitude is obtained by measuring and sampling the modulator output and performing calculation using the optical modulator output values and corresponding dither tone values. There are other embodiments as well.

An optical signal modulator comprising a modulator unit, a photodetector and an electrical signal combiner. The modular unit having an optical ingress port for optical radiation, a first and second optical output port each for modulated optical radiation, and an electrical ingress port for an electrical modulation signal. The optical radiation is modulated in response to the electrical modulation signal. The photodetector is connected to the second optical output port and configured to measure the modulated optical radiation that is emitted, and to provide a monitor signal. The electrical signal combiner having a first input port for an external electrical data signal, a second electrical input port for a correction signal based on the monitor signal, and an electrical output port that is connected to the electrical ingress port. The combiner generates the electrical modulation signal by combining the external electrical data signal and the correction signal.

An optical waveguide modulator with automatic bias control is disclosed. A portion of the modulator light is mixed with reference light and converted to one or more electrical feedback signals. An electrical feedback circuit controls the modulator bias responsive to the feedback signals.

A communication device includes a nested modulator composed of sub modulators and a phase shifter. The nested modulator is controlled by: modulating a double pulse by phase and intensity modulation according to transmission information, wherein the double pulse thus modulated is transmitted to another communication device; controlling bias voltages applied respectively to the sub modulators so that a first error rate on the intensity modulation is minimized; and controlling a bias voltage applied to the phase shifter so that a second error rate on the phase modulation is minimized.

An electro-optic device may include a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and one or more components. The one or more components may apply a DC bias with dither to a first branch and a second branch of the MZM and to arms of the first branch, and may determine a second harmonic of a first return signal. The one or more components may apply a DC bias with phase-shifted dither to the first branch and the second branch or to the arms of the first branch, and determine a second harmonic of a second return signal. The phase-shifted dither may be out of phase from the dither and have a frequency that matches a frequency of the dither. The one or more components may determine whether arms of the second branch of the MZM are operating at null, and may selectively adjust DC biases applied to the arms of the second branch.

The present invention relates to telecommunication techniques and integrated circuit (IC) devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an off-quadrature modulation system. Once an off-quadrature modulation position is determined, a ratio between DC power transfer amplitude and dither tone amplitude for a modulator is as a control loop target to stabilize off-quadrature modulation. DC power transfer amplitude is obtained by measuring and sampling the output of an optical modulator. Dither tone amplitude is obtained by measuring and sampling the modulator output and performing calculation using the optical modulator output values and corresponding dither tone values. There are other embodiments as well.

A debugging method and device for an operating point voltage of a parallel MZI electro-optical modulator. The parallel MZI electro-optical modulator comprises a Parent MZI (2) formed by a parallel connection of a Child MZI (3) in an I path and a Child MZI (4) in a Q path. The debugging method comprises: fixing a bias voltage of one Child MZI of the Child MZI (3) in the I path and the Child MZI (4) in the Q path; gradually adjusting a bias voltage of the other Child MZI, testing a parent extinction ratio Per of the Parent MZI (2) when different bias voltages are applied, and finding a corresponding bias voltage as an operating point voltage of the other Child MZI when the Per of the Parent MZI (2) reaches a minimum value, and then finding a corresponding bias voltage as an operating point voltage of the one Child MZI when the Per of the Parent MZI (2) reaches a minimum value; setting the bias voltages of the two Child MZIs as operating point voltages corresponding to the two Child MZIs respectively, adjusting a phase modulation voltage of the Parent MZI (2) until an output effect of the parallel MZI electro-optical modulator reaches the best, and determining the phase modulation voltage of the Parent MZI (2). The method and device are simple; and the debugging process thereof is fast and efficient.

An optical waveguide modulator with automatic bias control is disclosed. A portion of the modulator light is mixed with reference light and converted to one or more electrical feedback signals. An electrical feedback circuit controls the modulator bias responsive to the feedback signals.

There is provided an optical communication system comprising: a transmitter comprising: a modulator configured to output a digital signal representing information to be transmitted; a biaser configured to output a bias level; a drive level controller configured to output a control signal; a switch electrically connected to the modulator, wherein the switch receives the digital signal and a reference voltage set by the control signal; and at least one light emitting diode (LED) electrically connected to the switch and the biaser. The LED is configured to emit light and pulse at varying power levels between the bias level and the reference voltage. The system further comprises a receiver comprising: a detector configured to receive light emitted by the LED and output a detected signal; and a demodulator configured to receive the detected signal and output demodulated information.