Generating optical PAM-4 signals in mach-zehnder modulators

By employing multiple binary electrical signals for driving and bias control in a Mach-Zehnder modulator, an optical PAM-4 signal is generated, solving the bandwidth limitation problem, achieving efficient bandwidth utilization in short-distance optical communication, and supporting higher transmission bit rates.

CN115639699BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-05MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)
Filing Date
2022-06-23
Publication Date
2026-06-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing Mach-Zehnder modulators suffer from bandwidth limitations in optical communication, making it difficult to effectively generate Pulse Amplitude Modulated 4-level (PAM-4) signals and thus failing to meet the high bandwidth requirements of short-distance optical communication within data centers.

Method used

A Mach-Zehnder modulator is driven by multiple binary electrical signals. Optical PAM-4 signals are generated through bias control and phase adjustment. The input optical signal is converted into an optical PAM-4 signal by using multiple semiconductor devices and waveguide interferometer arm structures.

Benefits of technology

It improves the bandwidth efficiency of short-distance optical communication, enables the generation of optical PAM-4 signals, supports higher transmission bit rates without increasing the bandwidth of photonic components, and meets the high bandwidth requirements of data centers.

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to generating optical PAM-4 signals in Mach-Zehnder modulators. Embodiments are disclosed for generating an optical pulse amplitude modulation 4-level (PAM-4) signal from a bandwidth-limited duobinary electrical signal in a Mach-Zehnder modulator. An example system includes an MZM structure including a first waveguide interferometer arm structure associated with a first semiconductor device and a second waveguide interferometer arm structure associated with a second semiconductor device. A multi-binary electrical signal is applied to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device or between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device to convert an input optical signal provided to the MZM structure to an optical PAM-4 signal.
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