US5625722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for generating data encoded pulses in return-to-zero format
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
•
Filing: 1994-12-21
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Granted: 1997-04-29
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Expires: 2014-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into an optical data stream in return-to-zero (RZ) format, is disclosed comprising supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, driving the modulator with an NRZ voltage data stream and encoding either the NRZ data stream or the electrical output of the receiver. The modulator can be an interferometer, such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, or a directional coupler, for example.
Inventors
- 👤 Nan M. Froberg
- 👤 Alan H. Gnauck
- 👤 Gregory Raybon
- 👤 John J. Veselka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/50; H04B10/508; H04B10/501; H04B10/503; H04B10/505
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; encoding an NRZ voltage data stream; and driving the modulator with the encoded NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical data stream such that there will be a maximum optical output when the encoded NRZ voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; encoding an NRZ voltage data stream; and driving the modulator with the encoded NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical data stream such that there will be a maximum optical output when the encoded NRZ voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the encoding step comprises differential encoding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the modulator comprises a first and second waveguide and the driving step comprises driving at least one waveguide by the encoded voltage data stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the driving step further comprises driving both waveguides in an equal and opposite manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the driving step further comprises splitting the encoded voltage data stream into a first and second stream, inverting one of the split voltage data streams and driving one waveguide with the first voltage data stream and driving the other waveguide with the second voltage data stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the optical output and converting the optical output into electrical signals.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; driving the modulator with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an optical output such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level; converting the optical output of the modulator into electrical signals; and encoding the electrical signals.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; driving the modulator with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an optical output such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level; converting the optical output of the modulator into electrical signals; and encoding the electrical signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the encoding step comprises differentially encoding the electrical signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the modulator comprises a first and second waveguide and the driving step comprises driving at least one waveguide by the NRZ voltage data stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the driving step further comprises driving both waveguides in an equal and opposite manner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the driving step further comprises splitting the NRZ voltage data stream into a first and second stream, inverting one of the split data streams and driving one waveguide with the first data stream and driving the other waveguide with the second data stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising transmitting the optical output to a receiver, which converts the optical output into electrical signals.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; encoding an NRZ data stream; and driving the modulator with the encoded NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; encoding an NRZ data stream; and driving the modulator with the encoded NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; driving the Mach-Zehnder interferometer with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output; converting the optical output to electrical signals; and encoding the electrical signals.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; driving the Mach-Zehnder interferometer with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output; converting the optical output to electrical signals; and encoding the electrical signals.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a directional coupler; encoding the NRZ data stream; and driving the directional coupler with the encoded NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a directional coupler; encoding the NRZ data stream; and driving the directional coupler with the encoded NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a directional coupler; driving the directional coupler with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output; and converting the optical output to electrical signals.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: supplying a continuous optical signal to a directional coupler; driving the directional coupler with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an RZ optical output; and converting the optical output to electrical signals.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) data stream comprising: supplying a continuous signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum output at a second voltage level, and a maximum output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; and driving the modulator with the voltage data stream to generate an RZ data stream such that there will be a maximum output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) data stream comprising: supplying a continuous signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum output at a second voltage level, and a maximum output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; and driving the modulator with the voltage data stream to generate an RZ data stream such that there will be a maximum output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a modulator having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage driving level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream; and an encoder having an input for receiving the NRZ data stream and an output for supplying an encoded NRZ voltage data stream to the modulator, wherein the NRZ voltage stream drives the modulator such that there will be a maximum output when the NRZ voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to a first voltage level, generating an RZ optical output.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a modulator having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage driving level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream; and an encoder having an input for receiving the NRZ data stream and an output for supplying an encoded NRZ voltage data stream to the modulator, wherein the NRZ voltage stream drives the modulator such that there will be a maximum output when the NRZ voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to a first voltage level, generating an RZ optical output.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus or claim 18, wherein the encoder is a differential encoder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the modulator comprises a first and second waveguide and the encoded NRZ voltage stream drives at least one of the waveguides.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the encoded NRZ voltage data stream is split into a first and second NRZ voltage data stream, the first data voltage stream driving the first waveguide and the second data voltage stream driving the second waveguide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising an inverter which inverts either the first or the second NRZ voltage data streams.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the modulator is an interferometer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the modulator is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the modulator is a directional coupler.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a modulator having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage driving level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream operatively connected to the modulator, wherein the NRZ voltage data stream drives the modulator such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level; a receiver having an input and an output, wherein the output of the modulator is connected to the input of the receiver; and an encoder connected to the output of the receiver, the encoder encoding the output of the receiver.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a modulator having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage driving level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream operatively connected to the modulator, wherein the NRZ voltage data stream drives the modulator such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage level; a receiver having an input and an output, wherein the output of the modulator is connected to the input of the receiver; and an encoder connected to the output of the receiver, the encoder encoding the output of the receiver.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the encoder is a differential encoder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the modulator comprises a first and second waveguide and the NRZ data stream drives at least one of the waveguides.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the NRZ data stream is split into a first and second NRZ data stream, the first data stream driving the first waveguide and the second data stream driving the second waveguide.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising an inverter which inverts either the first or the second data stream.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the modulator is an interferometer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the modulator is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the modulator is a directional coupler.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: an interferometer; an optical signal source which supplies a continuous signal to the interferometer; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream; an encoder having an input for receiving the NRZ data stream and an output providing an encoded NRZ voltage stream to drive the interferometer such that the output of the interferometer is an RZ optical data stream corresponding to the NRZ data stream.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: an interferometer; an optical signal source which supplies a continuous signal to the interferometer; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream; an encoder having an input for receiving the NRZ data stream and an output providing an encoded NRZ voltage stream to drive the interferometer such that the output of the interferometer is an RZ optical data stream corresponding to the NRZ data stream.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the interferometer is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: an interferometer; an optical signal source which supplies a continuous signal to the interferometer; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream for driving the interferometer such that the output of the interferometer is an RZ optical data stream; a receiver coupled to the output of the interferometer, the receiver converting the RZ optical data stream into voltage data stream; and an encoder having an input connected to an output of the receiver, the encoder retrieving the original NRZ data stream.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: an interferometer; an optical signal source which supplies a continuous signal to the interferometer; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream for driving the interferometer such that the output of the interferometer is an RZ optical data stream; a receiver coupled to the output of the interferometer, the receiver converting the RZ optical data stream into voltage data stream; and an encoder having an input connected to an output of the receiver, the encoder retrieving the original NRZ data stream.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the interferometer is a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a directional coupler having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream; an encoder having an input for receiving the NRZ data stream and an output for providing an encoded NRZ data stream to drive the directional coupler, such that the output of the coupler is an RZ optical data stream corresponding to the NRZ voltage data stream.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a directional coupler having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream; an encoder having an input for receiving the NRZ data stream and an output for providing an encoded NRZ data stream to drive the directional coupler, such that the output of the coupler is an RZ optical data stream corresponding to the NRZ voltage data stream.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a directional coupler having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output; source of an NRZ voltage data stream for driving the directional coupler such that the output of the directional coupler is an RZ optical data stream; a receiver coupled to the output of the coupler, the receiver converting the RZ optical data stream into a voltage data stream; and an encoder connected to the output of the receiver, the encoder retrieving the original NRZ voltage data stream.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a directional coupler having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output; source of an NRZ voltage data stream for driving the directional coupler such that the output of the directional coupler is an RZ optical data stream; a receiver coupled to the output of the coupler, the receiver converting the RZ optical data stream into a voltage data stream; and an encoder connected to the output of the receiver, the encoder retrieving the original NRZ voltage data stream.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a modulator having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage driving level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream operatively connected to the modulator, the NRZ voltage data stream driving the modulator such that there will be a maximum output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to a first voltage level, generating an RZ optical data stream.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: a source of a continuous optical signal; a modulator having an input for receiving the optical signal and an output, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage driving level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; a source of an NRZ voltage data stream operatively connected to the modulator, the NRZ voltage data stream driving the modulator such that there will be a maximum output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to a first voltage level, generating an RZ optical data stream.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: means for supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; means for encoding an NRZ voltage data stream; and means for driving the modulator with the encoded voltage stream to generate an RZ optical data stream such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage levels.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: means for supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; means for encoding an NRZ voltage data stream; and means for driving the modulator with the encoded voltage stream to generate an RZ optical data stream such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage levels.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: means for supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; means for driving the modulator with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an optical output such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage levels; means for converting the optical output of the modulator into electrical signals; and means for encoding the electrical signals.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for converting a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) voltage data stream into a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data stream comprising: means for supplying a continuous optical signal to a modulator, wherein the modulator has a minimum optical output at a first voltage driving level, a minimum optical output at a second voltage level, and a maximum optical output at a voltage level between the first and second voltage levels; means for driving the modulator with an NRZ voltage data stream to generate an optical output such that there will be a maximum optical output when the voltage data stream transitions from the first to the second or from the second to the first voltage levels; means for converting the optical output of the modulator into electrical signals; and means for encoding the electrical signals.
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