Optical modulator, optical module, and optical transmission apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an optical modulator, an optical module and optical transmitting equipment, and relates to the technical field of optical communication. The optical modulator is an annular modulator and modulates the loop loss of the optical signal transmitted in the annular waveguide, and the generated output optical signal does not generate chirp, and is small in insertion loss and high in modulation depth. The optical modulator comprises a first input / output waveguide, an annular waveguide and N amplitude modulation units arranged on the annular waveguide, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the first input / output waveguide is coupled with the annular waveguide; the first input / output waveguide couples a first part of optical signals in the carrier optical signals into the annular waveguide; the N amplitude modulation units modulate the loop loss of a first part of optical signals transmitted in the annular waveguide to different degrees according to the electric signals to generate modulated optical signals; the first input / output waveguide interferes the modulated optical signal with a second portion of the carrier optical signal to generate an output optical signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to an optical modulator, an optical module and an optical transmitting device. Background Art

[0002] Optical communication systems use light as a carrier to transmit information. In an optical communication system, an optical transmitting device outputs an output optical signal that carries the transmission information, and transmits the output optical signal to an optical receiving device through an optical fiber. The optical receiving device receives the output optical signal and demodulates the output optical signal to obtain the transmission information. Usually, the optical transmitting device encodes the transmission information into an electrical signal and transmits it to an optical modulator in the optical transmitting device. The optical modulator modulates the carrier optical signal according to the electrical signal to generate an output optical signal that carries the transmission information.

[0003] In optical transmission equipment, the modulation capability of the optical modulator affects the signal quality of the output optical signal and also affects the communication quality of the optical communication system. Currently, existing optical modulators often have problems such as chirping of the output optical signal, large insertion loss and low modulation depth. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides an optical modulator, an optical module and an optical transmitting device. The optical modulator is a ring modulator, and the round trip loss of an optical signal transmitted in a ring waveguide is modulated. The output optical signal generated by the optical modulator does not produce chirp, has low insertion loss and high modulation depth.

[0005] In a first aspect, an optical modulator is provided, comprising: a first input-output waveguide, a ring waveguide, and N amplitude modulation units arranged on the ring waveguide, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; wherein the first input-output waveguide is coupled to the ring waveguide; the first input-output waveguide is used to receive a carrier optical signal and couple a first portion of an optical signal in the carrier optical signal into the ring waveguide; the N amplitude modulation units are used to receive an input electrical signal and modulate the round trip loss of the first portion of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide to different degrees according to the input electrical signal to generate a modulated optical signal; the first input-output waveguide is also used to interfere the modulated optical signal with a second portion of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal to generate an output optical signal, and output the output optical signal, wherein the first portion of the optical signal is different from the second portion of the optical signal. In the optical modulator, since N amplitude modulation units receive input electrical signals, the round trip loss of the first part of the carrier optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide is modulated to different degrees according to the input electrical signal to generate a modulated optical signal. It can be seen that the optical modulator does not adjust the phase of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide, so the generated modulated optical signal will not produce chirp. In addition, the first input and output waveguide interferes the modulated optical signal with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal to generate an output optical signal, wherein the modulated optical signal and the carrier optical signal will not produce chirp, so the output optical signal will not produce chirp, and the interference enhances the modulation depth of the output optical signal. Among them, the amplitude level of the output optical signal can be adjusted by adjusting the input electrical signal, so that the output optical signal can achieve the effect of small insertion loss and high modulation depth.

[0006] Optionally, the input electrical signal includes N electrical signals transmitted to N amplitude modulation units respectively, and each amplitude modulation unit modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide according to the received electrical signal; wherein each electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, and the input electrical signal includes 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values, 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values ​​and output optical signal N There are one-to-one correspondences between different amplitude levels, and the electrical parameter value includes a voltage value or a current value. In this optional method, the input electrical signal can be an electrical signal generated by four-level pulse amplitude modulation (4-level pulse amplitude modulation, PAM4) encoding, or an electrical signal generated by eight-level pulse amplitude modulation (8-level pulse amplitude modulation, PAM8) encoding, or an electrical signal generated by sixteen-level pulse amplitude modulation (16-level pulse amplitude modulation, PAM16) encoding... Among them, PAM2 NThe encoded generated electrical signal includes N bits, and the input electrical signal includes N electrical signals, and the N electrical signals correspond to the N bits one by one. The N amplitude modulation units receive one of the N electrical signals respectively. Among them, each electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, so the N electrical signals include 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values, 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values ​​and output optical signal N For example, in PAM4 encoding, the input electrical signal includes two electrical signals, each of which includes two electrical parameter values, and the input electrical signal includes four combinations of electrical parameter values, which correspond to the four different amplitude levels of the output optical signal. The four different amplitude levels of the output optical signal correspond to the logic signal "00", the logic signal "01", the logic signal "10", and the logic signal "11". For another example, in PAM8 encoding, the input electrical signal includes three electrical signals, each of which includes two electrical parameter values, and the input electrical signal includes eight combinations of electrical parameter values, which correspond to the eight different amplitude levels of the output optical signal. The eight different amplitude levels of the output optical signal correspond to the logic signal "000", the logic signal "001", the logic signal "010", the logic signal "011", the logic signal "100", the logic signal "101", the logic signal "110", and the logic signal "111". For another example, in PAM16 encoding, the input electrical signal includes four electrical signals, each of which includes two electrical parameter values. The input electrical signal includes 16 combinations of electrical parameter values. The 16 combinations of electrical parameter values ​​correspond one-to-one to 16 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal. The 16 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal correspond to logic signal “0000”, logic signal “0001”, logic signal “0010”, logic signal “0011”, logic signal “0100”, logic signal “0101”, logic signal “0110”, logic signal “0111”, logic signal “1000”, logic signal “1001”, logic signal “1010”, logic signal “1011”, logic signal “1100”, logic signal “1101”, logic signal “1110”, and logic signal “1111”.

[0007] Optionally, the N amplitude modulation units include a first amplitude modulation unit and a second amplitude modulation unit; the input electrical signal includes a first electrical signal transmitted to the first amplitude modulation unit and a second electrical signal transmitted to the second amplitude modulation unit; when the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a first level; when the first electrical signal is a second electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a second level; when the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is a fourth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a third level; when the first electrical signal is a second electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is a fourth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a fourth level; wherein, the first electrical parameter value is not equal to the second electrical parameter value, and the third electrical parameter value is not equal to the fourth electrical parameter value. In this optional method, two amplitude modulation units modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide to different degrees to generate a modulated optical signal, and interfere the modulated optical signal with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal to generate output optical signals with four different amplitude levels.

[0008] Optionally, the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is equal to the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value; or, the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is less than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is less than or equal to the fourth electrical parameter value. In this optional manner, in order to make the above-mentioned second level unequal to the third level, when the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is equal to the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, the second electrical parameter value is set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value. When the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is less than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, the second electrical parameter value can be equal to the fourth electrical parameter value, or the second electrical parameter value can be less than the fourth electrical parameter value.

[0009] Optionally, the N amplitude modulation units include a first amplitude modulation unit, a second amplitude modulation unit and a third amplitude modulation unit; the input electrical signal includes a first electrical signal transmitted to the first amplitude modulation unit, a second electrical signal transmitted to the second amplitude modulation unit and a third electrical signal transmitted to the third amplitude modulation unit; when the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a first level; when the first electrical signal is a second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a second level; when the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a third level; when the first electrical signal is a second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value When the first electrical parameter value is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fifth level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the sixth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the seventh level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the eighth level; wherein, the first electrical parameter value is less than the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value, and the fifth electrical parameter value is less than the sixth electrical parameter value. In this optional method, three amplitude modulation units modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide to different degrees to generate a modulated optical signal, and interfere the modulated optical signal with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal to generate output optical signals with 8 different amplitude levels.

[0010] Optionally, the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit are equal, and the second electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value and less than the sixth electrical parameter value; or, the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is less than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and less than the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is less than or equal to the fourth electrical parameter value and less than or equal to the sixth electrical parameter value. In this optional manner, in order to make the above-mentioned second level, third level and fifth level unequal, when the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit are equal, the second electrical parameter value is set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value and less than the sixth electrical parameter value. When the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is less than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and less than the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit, the second electrical parameter value may be equal to the fourth electrical parameter value and equal to the sixth electrical parameter value, or the second electrical parameter value may be less than the fourth electrical parameter value and less than the sixth electrical parameter value.

[0011] Optionally, the N amplitude modulation units include a first amplitude modulation unit, a second amplitude modulation unit, a third amplitude modulation unit and a fourth amplitude modulation unit; the input electrical signal includes a first electrical signal transmitted to the first amplitude modulation unit, a second electrical signal transmitted to the second amplitude modulation unit, a third electrical signal transmitted to the third amplitude modulation unit and a fourth electrical signal transmitted to the fourth amplitude modulation unit; when the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is a seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a first level; when the first electrical signal is a second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is a seventh electrical parameter value When the first electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the second level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the third level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the sixth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the seventh level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the seventh level. The amplitude level of the signal is the eighth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the ninth level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the tenth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the eleventh level;When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the twelfth level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the thirteenth level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourteenth level. level; when the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fifteenth level; when the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the sixteenth level; wherein the first electrical parameter value is less than the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value, the fifth electrical parameter value is less than the sixth electrical parameter value, and the seventh electrical parameter value is less than the eighth electrical parameter value. In this optional manner, specifically, four amplitude modulation units modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide to different degrees to generate a modulated optical signal, interfere the modulated optical signal with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal, and generate 16 output optical signals of different amplitude levels. ;

[0012] Exemplarily, the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit and the modulation length of the fourth amplitude modulation unit are equal, and the second electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value, less than the sixth electrical parameter value and less than the eighth electrical parameter value; or, the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is less than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, less than the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit and less than the modulation length of the fourth amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is less than or equal to the fourth electrical parameter value, less than or equal to the sixth electrical parameter value and less than or equal to the eighth electrical parameter value. In this optional manner, in order to make the above-mentioned second level, third level, fifth level and ninth level unequal, when the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit are equal to the modulation length of the fourth amplitude modulation unit, the second electrical parameter value is set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value, less than the sixth electrical parameter value and less than the eighth electrical parameter value. When the modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is smaller than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, which is smaller than the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit, which is smaller than the modulation length of the fourth amplitude modulation unit, the second electrical parameter value may be equal to the fourth electrical parameter value, equal to the sixth electrical parameter value, equal to the eighth electrical parameter value, or the second electrical parameter value may be smaller than the fourth electrical parameter value, smaller than the sixth electrical parameter value, and smaller than the eighth electrical parameter value.

[0013] Optionally, the optical modulator further includes a second input / output waveguide, which is coupled to the ring waveguide; the second input / output waveguide is used to receive a portion of the modulated optical signal generated in the ring waveguide and output the portion of the modulated optical signal. In this optional manner, the first input / output waveguide can output the output optical signal, and the second input / output waveguide can output the portion of the modulated optical signal, and the amplitude of the portion of the modulated optical signal is opposite to that of the output optical signal. Specifically, the portion of the modulated optical signal and / or the output optical signal can be selected to be transmitted to the optical receiving device through an optical fiber according to subsequent needs, thereby improving the flexibility of the optical modulator.

[0014] Optionally, the optical modulator further includes at least one first ring waveguide; the ring waveguide is coupled to the first ring waveguide; the ring waveguide and the first ring waveguide are arranged in a direction parallel to the first input / output waveguide, or the ring waveguide and the first ring waveguide are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first input / output waveguide.

[0015] Optionally, the optical modulator further includes a first waveguide, which is coupled to a portion of the ring waveguide; and at least one amplitude modulation unit among the N amplitude modulation units is arranged in a portion of the ring waveguide coupled to the first waveguide.

[0016] Optionally, the amplitude modulation unit includes a modulation waveguide, and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on both sides of the modulation waveguide; the modulation waveguide is a part of the ring waveguide, one of the first electrode and the second electrode is grounded, and the other of the first electrode and the second electrode is used to receive an electrical signal transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit.

[0017] Optionally, the material of the modulation waveguide is different from the material of other parts of the ring waveguide except the modulation waveguide.

[0018] Optionally, the modulation unit amplitude modulation unit includes a first modulation waveguide and a second modulation waveguide, the first modulation waveguide is part of a ring waveguide, the second modulation waveguide is coupled to the first modulation waveguide, and the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide will be transmitted to the first modulation waveguide and the second modulation waveguide; the electrical signal transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit includes a first sub-electrical signal and a second sub-electrical signal, and the first sub-electrical signal and the second sub-electrical signal are in differential form with each other; the first modulation waveguide is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal according to the first sub-electrical signal; the second modulation waveguide is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal according to the second sub-electrical signal.

[0019] In a second aspect, an optical module is provided, comprising a light source and an optical modulator as described in any one of the first aspects above; the light source is used to generate a carrier optical signal and transmit the carrier optical signal to the optical modulator.

[0020] In a third aspect, an optical sending device is provided, comprising an encoder and an optical modulator as described in the second aspect above; the encoder is used to receive transmission data, generate an input electrical signal according to the transmission data, and transmit the input electrical signal to the optical modulator in the optical module.

[0021] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any possible implementation method of the second to third aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different implementation methods of the above-mentioned first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The transmission spectrum variation diagram of the ring waveguide of the optical modulator shown in FIG. 1 under the action of different electrical parameter values;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The transmission spectrum variation diagram of the ring waveguide of the optical modulator shown in FIG. 1 under the action of different electrical parameter values;

[0028] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 The eye diagram of the modulated optical signal output by the optical modulator shown;

[0032] Fig.11 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Fig.12 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Fig.14 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Fig.15 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Fig.16 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Fig.17 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Fig.18 A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Fig.19 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical modulator provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Fig. 20A schematic structural diagram of an optical modulator provided in another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all scientific and technological terms used herein have the same meaning as those known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B, which may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, wherein A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are a kind of "or" relationship. "At least one of the following (individuals)" or its similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items (individuals) or plural items (individuals). For example, at least one of a, b or c (individuals) may represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c or a, b and c, wherein a, b and c may be single or multiple. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and order.

[0044] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the orientation of the components in the drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts. They are used for relative description and clarification, and they may change accordingly according to changes in the orientation of the components in the drawings.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0046] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0047] Reference Figure 1As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a structural schematic diagram of an optical communication system 10, in which the optical communication system 10 includes an optical transmitting device 11, an optical fiber 12 and an optical receiving device 13. The optical transmitting device 11 includes an encoder 111 and an optical module 110, and the optical module 110 includes a light source 112 and an optical modulator 113, wherein the encoder 111 encodes transmission data such as voice and image, generates an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to the optical modulator 113 in the optical module 110. The light source 112 in the optical module 110 generates a carrier optical signal, transmits the carrier optical signal to the optical modulator 113, and the optical modulator 113 modulates the carrier optical signal transmitted from the light source 112 to the optical modulator 113 according to the electrical signal transmitted from the encoder 111 to the optical modulator 113, and generates an output optical signal, wherein the output optical signal carries transmission data such as voice and image. Subsequently, the optical transmitting device 11 transmits the output optical signal to the optical fiber 12. The optical fiber 12 transmits the output optical signal to the optical receiving device 13.

[0048] The optical receiving device 13 receives the output optical signal, and the optical receiving device 13 includes an optical demodulator 131 and a decoder 132, wherein the optical demodulator 131 demodulates the output optical signal received by the optical receiving device 13 to generate a demodulated electrical signal, and transmits the demodulated electrical signal to the decoder 132, and the decoder 132 decodes the demodulated electrical signal to obtain transmission data such as voice and image.

[0049] For example, when Figure 1When the optical communication system 10 shown uses wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), the optical transmission device 11 will include more optical modules 110, and each optical module 110 will generate an output optical signal of one wavelength. The optical transmission device 11 also includes a wavelength combiner / demultiplexer, which includes multiple input ends and one output end. Each of the multiple input ends of the wavelength combiner / demultiplexer is coupled to an optical module 110, and the output end of the wavelength combiner / demultiplexer is coupled to the optical fiber 12. The wavelength combiner / demultiplexer receives the output optical signal generated by each optical module 110 in the multiple optical modules 110. In the process of one optical signal transmission, the wavelengths of the output optical signals generated by any two optical modules 110 in the multiple optical modules 110 are different. Therefore, the wavelength combiner / demultiplexer combines the output optical signals of different wavelengths into one combined optical signal, and the optical transmission device 11 transmits the combined optical signal to the optical receiving device 13 through the optical fiber 12. Then, a wavelength combiner / demultiplexer is also provided in the optical receiving device 13. The wavelength combiner / demultiplexer in the optical receiving device 13 includes an input end and multiple output ends. The optical receiving device 13 also includes multiple optical demodulators. The input end of the wavelength combiner / demultiplexer in the optical receiving device 13 is coupled to the optical fiber 12. Each of the multiple output ends of the wavelength combiner / demultiplexer in the optical receiving device 13 is coupled to an optical demodulator 131. The wavelength combiner / demultiplexer in the optical receiving device 13 receives the combined optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitting device 11 through the optical fiber 12, demultiplexes the combined optical signal into output optical signals of multiple wavelengths, and transmits an output optical signal of one wavelength to an optical demodulator 131. An optical demodulator 131 demodulates an output optical signal to generate a demodulated electrical signal.

[0050] in, Figure 1 The optical communication system 10 shown may include more or fewer devices, and each device in the optical communication system 10 may also include more or fewer functional devices, such as Figure 1 The optical transmission device 11 shown may include more or fewer functional components, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Figure 1 The content shown is schematic and does not constitute a limitation on the structure of the optical communication system 10. In other embodiments, the optical module and the optical demodulator may also be integrated into one device to realize the sending and receiving of optical signals.

[0051] In the optical transmission device 11, the modulation capability of the optical modulator 113 is closely related to the communication quality of the optical communication system 10. At present, the encoder 111 has gradually developed from non-return-to-zero (NRZ) coding to four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) coding, so the optical modulator 113 is also required to support PAM4 coding. Among them, the optical modulator 113 supporting NRZ coding only needs to output an output optical signal with two different amplitude levels, and the two different amplitude levels correspond to the logic signal "0" and the logic signal "1", while the optical modulator 113 supporting PAM4 coding needs to output an output optical signal with 4 different amplitude levels, and the four different amplitude levels correspond to the logic signal "00", the logic signal "01", the logic signal "10" and the logic signal "11".

[0052] Reference Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical modulator 20, in which a segmented doping design is specifically adopted so that the optical modulator 20 supports PAM4 encoding. Figure 2The optical modulator 20 shown includes an input / output waveguide 21 and a ring waveguide 22, wherein the ring waveguide 22 is coupled to the input / output waveguide 21. The ring waveguide 22 is provided with a most significant bit modulation area (MSB) having a longer modulation area and a least significant bit modulation area (LSB) having a shorter modulation area, wherein the MSB receives an electrical signal V20, and the LSB receives an electrical signal V10. The first end of the input / output waveguide 21 receives a carrier optical signal S20, and the input / output waveguide 21 couples a first portion of an optical signal S21 in the carrier optical signal S20 into the ring waveguide 22. Under the action of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB and the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB, the ring waveguide 22 modulates the phase shift of the first portion of the optical signal S21 transmitted in the ring waveguide 22 to different degrees, thereby generating a modulated optical signal S22. The input-output waveguide 21 interferes the modulated optical signal S22 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S20 to generate output optical signals S23 with four different amplitude levels, and outputs the output optical signal S23 from the second end of the input-output waveguide 21. The electrical signal V10 received by the LSB includes two electrical parameter values, and the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB includes two electrical parameter values, so the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB and the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB include a combination of four electrical parameter values, so the output optical signal S23 has four different amplitude levels, and the combination of the four electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical parameter values ​​of the MSB received corresponds one-to-one to the four different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S23.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 As shown, Figure 32 is a schematic diagram of a change in the transmittance curve of the ring waveguide 22 when the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB and the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB are different. The electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB is specifically a voltage value, and the voltage value includes 0 volts (V) and 4.4V, and the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB is specifically a voltage value, and the voltage value includes 0V and 4.4V. Curve 1 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 changing with wavelength when the voltage value of the electric signal V10 received by LSB is 0V and the voltage value of the electric signal V20 received by MSB is 0V; Curve 2 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 when the voltage value of the electric signal V10 received by LSB is 4.4V and the voltage value of the electric signal V20 received by MSB is 0V; Curve 3 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 changing with wavelength when the voltage value of the electric signal V10 received by LSB is 0V and the voltage value of the electric signal V20 received by MSB is 4.4V; Curve 4 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 changing with wavelength when the voltage value of the electric signal V10 received by LSB is 4.4V and the voltage value of the electric signal V20 received by MSB is 4.4V. Figure 3 It can be seen that the transmittance in the ring waveguide 22 is related to the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB and the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB, and when the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB is different from the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB, the resonant peak of the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 varying with the wavelength will drift to varying degrees.

[0054] Generally, when the optical modulator 20 is required to support PAM4 encoding, a predetermined wavelength λ1 is determined. The voltage value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB is 0V, the voltage value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB is 0V, and the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 corresponding to the predetermined wavelength λ1 is T1, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S23 is the first level, corresponding to the logic signal "00"; the voltage value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB is 4.4V, the voltage value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB is 0V, and the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 corresponding to the predetermined wavelength λ1 is T2, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S23 is the second level, corresponding to the logic signal "01"; The voltage value of the electric signal V10 received by B is 0V, the voltage value of the electric signal V20 received by MSB is 4.4V, and the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 corresponding to the predetermined wavelength λ1 is T3, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S23 is the third level, corresponding to the logic signal "10"; the voltage value of the electric signal V10 received by LSB is 4.4V, the voltage value of the electric signal V20 received by MSB is 4.4V, and the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 corresponding to the predetermined wavelength λ1 is T4, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S23 is the fourth level, corresponding to the logic signal "11". The difference between T2 and T1 is Δ1, the difference between T3 and T3 is Δ3, and the difference between T4 and T3 is Δ3. Ideally, the predetermined wavelength λ1 needs to make Δ1=Δ2=Δ3. However, the actually selected predetermined wavelength λ1 usually does not make Δ1=Δ2=Δ3, which results in that when the voltage value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB and the voltage value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB change, the change in the transmittance of the ring waveguide 22 is uncertain, making the nonlinearity of the output optical signal S23 generated by the optical modulator 20 larger.

[0055] In addition, refer to Figure 2 As shown, the distance between the MSB and the LSB is very close. When the voltage value of the electrical signal V20 received by the MSB is 4.4V, the LSB will receive some leakage current. When the voltage value of the electrical signal V10 received by the LSB is 4.4V, the MSB will also receive some leakage current. The existence of the leakage current also causes crosstalk between the MSB and the LSB of the optical modulator 20. In addition, the distance that needs to be reserved between the MSB and the LSB will also reduce the modulation efficiency of the optical modulator 20.

[0056] in, Figure 2The optical modulator 20 shown is to modulate the phase shift of the first part of the optical signal S21 transmitted in the ring waveguide by applying an electrical signal to generate a modulated optical signal S22, and interfere the modulated optical signal S22 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S20 to generate an output optical signal S23. However, when the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal are different, the phase of the generated output optical signal will also change, which will cause the output optical signal to generate chirp, and the insertion loss and modulation depth of the output optical signal will be limited, and the application of the optical modulator 20 in the optical communication system 10 will be affected.

[0057] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical modulator, which is a ring modulator and modulates the round trip loss of an optical signal transmitted in a ring waveguide. The output optical signal generated by the optical modulator does not produce chirp, has low insertion loss, and has a high modulation depth.

[0058] For example, refer to Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 The optical modulator 40 provided in the embodiment of the present application is a schematic diagram of the structure. The optical modulator 40 includes: an input-output waveguide 41 (also referred to as a first input-output waveguide), a ring waveguide 42, and N amplitude modulation units arranged on the ring waveguide 42, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Figure 4 As shown, the N amplitude modulation units include amplitude modulation unit 43-1, amplitude modulation unit 43-2...amplitude modulation unit 43-(N-1), amplitude modulation unit 43-N; wherein the input-output waveguide 41 is coupled with the ring waveguide 42; the input-output waveguide 41 is used to receive the carrier optical signal S30 transmitted from the a end of the input-output waveguide, and couple the first part of the optical signal S31 in the carrier optical signal S30 into the ring waveguide 42; the N amplitude modulation units are used to receive the input electrical signal Vin, and modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to different degrees according to the input electrical signal Vin, so as to generate the modulated optical signal S32. The modulated optical signal S32 is specifically generated by the first part of the optical signal S31 being transmitted multiple times in the ring waveguide 42, and the N amplitude modulation units modulating the first part of the optical signal S31 multiple times. The input-output waveguide 41 is further used to interfere the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 to generate an output optical signal S33, and input the output optical signal S33 to the b-end of the output waveguide for output. The first part of the optical signal S31 in the carrier optical signal S30 is different from the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30, and the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 can be an optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 that is not coupled into the ring waveguide 42.

[0059] For example, refer to Figure 4As shown, the input electrical signal Vin includes N electrical signals transmitted to N amplitude modulation units respectively, and each amplitude modulation unit modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received electrical signal; wherein each electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, and the input electrical signal Vin includes 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values, 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values ​​and output optical signal S33 N There is a one-to-one correspondence between different amplitude levels.

[0060] Exemplarily, the input electrical signal Vin can be an electrical signal generated by PAM4 encoding, or an electrical signal generated by eight-level pulse amplitude modulation (8-level pulse amplitude modulation, PAM8) encoding, or an electrical signal generated by sixteen-level pulse amplitude modulation (16-level pulse amplitude modulation, PAM16) encoding... Among them, PAM2 N The encoded generated electrical signal includes N bits, and the input electrical signal Vin includes N electrical signals, the N electrical signals correspond to the N bits one by one, and the N amplitude modulation units respectively receive one of the N electrical signals.

[0061] Exemplarily, the electrical signal generated by PAM4 encoding includes 2 bits, then the input electrical signal Vin includes 2 electrical signals, which may be, for example, a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal, wherein the first electrical signal corresponds to the lowest bit of PAM4 encoding, and the second electrical signal corresponds to the highest bit of PAM4 encoding. Then the N amplitude modulation units may specifically be 2 amplitude modulation units, which may be, for example, an amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and an amplitude modulation unit 43-2. ​​The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives the first electrical signal, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 may also be referred to as the amplitude modulation unit of the lowest bit, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives the second electrical signal, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 may also be referred to as the amplitude modulation unit of the highest bit. The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives a first electrical signal, and modulates the round trip loss of the first portion of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received first electrical signal; the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives a second electrical signal, and modulates the round trip loss of the first portion of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received second electrical signal. The first electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, and the second electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values. Therefore, the first electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the second electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 include 2 2=4 combinations of electrical parameter values, the 4 combinations of electrical parameter values ​​correspond one by one to the 4 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S33, the 4 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S33 correspond to the logic signal "00", the logic signal "01", the logic signal "10", and the logic signal "11" respectively.

[0062] Exemplarily, the electrical signal generated by PAM8 encoding includes 3 bits, then the input electrical signal Vin includes 3 electrical signals, which may be, for example, a first electrical signal, a second electrical signal, and a third electrical signal, wherein the first electrical signal corresponds to the lowest bit of PAM8 encoding, the second electrical signal corresponds to the second highest bit of PAM8 encoding, and the third electrical signal corresponds to the highest bit of PAM8 encoding. Then the N amplitude modulation units may be specifically 3 amplitude modulation units, which may be, for example, amplitude modulation unit 43-1, amplitude modulation unit 43-2, and amplitude modulation unit 43-3. Amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives the first electrical signal, and amplitude modulation unit 43-1 may also be referred to as the amplitude modulation unit of the lowest bit; amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives the second electrical signal, and amplitude modulation unit 43-2 may also be referred to as the amplitude modulation unit of the second highest bit; amplitude modulation unit 43-3 receives the third electrical signal, and amplitude modulation unit 43-3 may also be referred to as the amplitude modulation unit of the highest bit. Among them, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives a first electrical signal, and modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received first electrical signal; the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives a second electrical signal, and modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received second electrical signal; the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 receives a third electrical signal, and modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received third electrical signal. The first electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, the second electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, and the third electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values. Therefore, the first electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the second electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, and the third electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 include 2 3 =8 combinations of electrical parameter values, the 8 combinations of electrical parameter values ​​correspond one by one to 8 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S33, the 8 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S33 correspond to logic signal "000", logic signal "001", logic signal "010", logic signal "011", logic signal "100", logic signal "101", logic signal "110", and logic signal "111" respectively.

[0063] Exemplarily, the electrical signal generated by PAM16 encoding includes 4 bits, and the input electrical signal Vin includes 4 electrical signals, which may be, for example, a first electrical signal, a second electrical signal, a third electrical signal, and a fourth electrical signal, wherein the first electrical signal corresponds to the lowest bit of PAM16 encoding, the second electrical signal corresponds to the second lowest bit of PAM16 encoding, the third electrical signal corresponds to the second highest bit of PAM16 encoding, and the fourth electrical signal corresponds to the highest bit of PAM16 encoding. Then the N amplitude modulation units may specifically be 4 amplitude modulation units, which may be, for example, amplitude modulation unit 43-1, amplitude modulation unit 43-2, amplitude modulation unit 43-3, and amplitude modulation unit 43-4. The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives the first electrical signal, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 can also be called the amplitude modulation unit of the lowest bit; the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives the second electrical signal, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 can also be called the amplitude modulation unit of the second lowest bit; the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 receives the third electrical signal, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 can also be called the amplitude modulation unit of the second highest bit; the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 receives the fourth electrical signal, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 can also be called the amplitude modulation unit of the highest bit. Among them, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives a first electrical signal, and modulates the round-trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received first electrical signal; the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives a second electrical signal, and modulates the round-trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received second electrical signal; the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 receives a third electrical signal, and modulates the round-trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received third electrical signal; the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 receives a fourth electrical signal, and modulates the round-trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the received fourth electrical signal. The first electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, the second electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, the third electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values, and the fourth electrical signal includes two electrical parameter values. Therefore, the first electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the second electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the third electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3, and the fourth electrical signal received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 include 2 4=16 combinations of electrical parameter values, and the 16 combinations of electrical parameter values ​​correspond one by one to 16 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S33. The 16 different amplitude levels of the output optical signal S33 correspond to logic signal “0000”, logic signal “0001”, logic signal “0010”, logic signal “0011”, logic signal “0100”, logic signal “0101”, logic signal “0110”, logic signal “0111”, logic signal “1000”, logic signal “1001”, logic signal “1010”, logic signal “1011”, logic signal “1100”, logic signal “1101”, logic signal “1110”, and logic signal “1111”.

[0064] In the optical modulator 40, since N amplitude modulation units receive the input electrical signal Vin, the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 is modulated to different degrees according to the input electrical signal Vin to generate a modulated optical signal S32. It can be seen that the optical modulator 40 does not adjust the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42, so the generated modulated optical signal S32 will not produce chirp. In addition, the input-output waveguide 41 interferes the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 to generate an output optical signal S33, wherein the modulated optical signal S32 and the carrier optical signal S30 will not produce chirp, so the output optical signal S33 will not produce chirp, and the interference enhances the modulation depth of the output optical signal S33. Among them, the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 can be adjusted by adjusting the input electrical signal Vin, so that the output optical signal S33 can achieve the effect of small insertion loss and high modulation depth. In addition, Figure 4 The size of the ring waveguide 42 in the optical modulator 40 shown is not limited, so the spacing between the N amplitude modulation units in the optical modulator 40 can be far enough, and the optical modulator 40 will not cause Figure 2 The optical modulator 20 shown has a crosstalk problem with segmented modulation.

[0065] Reference Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical modulator 40 provided in another embodiment of the present application, wherein: Figure 5 The optical modulator 40 shown is specifically used to implement PAM4 coded modulation. Figure 5The N amplitude modulation units shown are specifically 2 amplitude modulation units, which are amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and amplitude modulation unit 43-2 respectively; the N amplitude modulation units receive the input electrical signal Vin specifically including electrical signal V1 and electrical signal V2, wherein the electrical signal V1 corresponds to the lowest bit of PAM4 encoding, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives the electrical signal V1, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V1; the electrical signal V2 corresponds to the highest bit of PAM4 encoding, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives the electrical signal V2, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V2. Among them, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to different degrees to generate a modulated optical signal S32, and the input-output waveguide 41 interferes the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30, and finally generates four output optical signals S33 with different amplitude levels.

[0066] Exemplarily, the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 specifically includes a first electrical parameter value and a second electrical parameter value, and the first electrical parameter value is different from the second electrical parameter value; the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 specifically includes a third electrical parameter value and a fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical parameter value is different from the fourth electrical parameter value. Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6The diagram is a schematic diagram of the change of the transmittance curve of the ring waveguide 42 when the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 are different. Curve 1 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 42 changing with the wavelength when the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value. In curve 1, the wavelength corresponding to the resonance peak is λ2, and the transmittance T5 corresponding to the resonance peak is -9.8dB; curve 2 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 42 changing with the wavelength when the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value. In curve 2, the wavelength corresponding to the resonance peak is λ2, and the transmittance T6 corresponding to the resonance peak is -7.4dB. B; Curve 3 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 42 changing with the wavelength when the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value. In Curve 3, the wavelength corresponding to the resonance peak is λ2, and the transmittance T7 corresponding to the resonance peak is -5.1dB; Curve 4 represents the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 42 changing with the wavelength when the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value. In Curve 4, the wavelength corresponding to the resonance peak is λ2, and the transmittance T8 corresponding to the resonance peak is -3.1dB. Figure 6 It can be seen that the transmittance of the ring waveguide 32 is related to the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, and when the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is different from the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the resonance peak of the curve of the transmittance of the ring waveguide 32 changing with the wavelength does not drift, and only the transmittance corresponding to the resonance peak changes. Among them, Figure 6 The wavelength at the resonance peak of any of the curves shown is λ2.

[0067] Based on this, the input-output waveguide 41 couples the first part of the optical signal S31 in the received carrier optical signal S30 with a wavelength of λ2 into the ring waveguide 42. When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulate the first part of the optical signal S31 with a wavelength of λ2 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the first level, corresponding to the logic signal "00". When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulate the first part of the optical signal S31 with a wavelength of λ2 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the second level, corresponding to the logic signal "01". When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulate the first part of the optical signal S31 with a wavelength of λ2 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the third level, corresponding to the logic signal "10"; When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulate the first part of the optical signal S31 with a wavelength of λ2 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fourth level, corresponding to the logic signal "11". Based on the fact that the transmittance is negatively correlated with the absorbance, and the amplitude of the output modulated optical signal S33 is negatively correlated with the absorbance, combined with -9.8dB<-7.4dB<-5.1dB<-3.1dB, it can be known that the first level is less than the second level, less than the third level, and less than the fourth level.

[0068] In some examples, by adjusting the above-mentioned first electrical parameter value, second electrical parameter value, third electrical parameter value and fourth electrical parameter value, the difference between transmittance T5 and transmittance T6 can be made equal to the difference between transmittance T6 and transmittance T7, which is equal to the difference between transmittance T7 and transmittance T8; and the amplitude difference between the first level and the second level is made equal to the amplitude difference between the second level and the third level, which is equal to the amplitude difference between the third level and the fourth level, thereby improving the linearity of the amplitude change of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40 and improving the quality of the output optical signal S33.

[0069] In some embodiments, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is equal to the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2. ​​In order to make the second level unequal to the third level, the second electrical parameter value is usually set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value. Among them, the first electrical parameter value and the third electrical parameter value can be specifically 0V of the voltage value or 0A of the current value, and the first electrical parameter value is less than the second electrical parameter value, and the third electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value. In other embodiments, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is less than the modulation length of the modulation unit amplitude modulation unit 43-2. ​​Then, when the second electrical parameter value is equal to the fourth electrical parameter value, since the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is less than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the second level can also be made less than the third level. Of course, the second electrical parameter value can also be set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value, so that the second level is less than the third level.

[0070] The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V1. The specific structure of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 can be referred to. Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Fig. 9 shown.

[0071] Specifically, refer to Figure 7 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 includes a modulation waveguide w1, and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on both sides of the modulation waveguide w1. The modulation waveguide w1 is a part of the ring waveguide 42. The modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 can be specifically the length of the modulation waveguide w1, and the first part of the optical signal S31 is modulated when passing through the modulation waveguide w1. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is grounded, and the other of the first electrode and the second electrode is used to receive the electrical signal transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit 43-1. For example, refer to Figure 7As shown, the first electrode may be, for example, an electrode D1, and the second electrode may be, for example, an electrode G1. The electrode G1 is grounded, and the electrode D1 receives an electrical signal V1, so that the modulation waveguide w1 changes the absorbance of the first portion of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 under the action of the electrical signal V1, wherein the material of the modulation waveguide w1 may specifically include a material having defect state absorption characteristics, or a material having saturable absorption characteristics. Exemplarily, according to Figure 7 In the placement position shown, the electrode D1 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w1, and the electrode G1 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w1. In other embodiments, the electrode D1 may be arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w1, and the electrode G1 may be arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w1.

[0072] In some embodiments, Figure 7 The materials of the other parts of the ring waveguide 42 except the modulation waveguide w1 are the same as the material of the modulation waveguide w1, or the materials of the other parts of the ring waveguide 42 except the modulation waveguide w1 are different from the material of the modulation waveguide w1. That is, the materials of the other parts of the ring waveguide 42 except the modulation waveguide w1 include materials having defect state absorption characteristics, or materials having saturable absorption characteristics, or other materials.

[0073] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 includes a modulation waveguide w3 (also called a first modulation waveguide) and a modulation waveguide w4 (also called a second modulation waveguide), the modulation waveguide w3 is a part of the ring waveguide 42, and the modulation waveguide w4 is coupled to the modulation waveguide w3; the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 will be transmitted to the modulation waveguide w3 and the modulation waveguide w4 of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1. Among them, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 can be specifically the length of the modulation waveguide w3 or the modulation waveguide w4, and the first part of the optical signal S31 is modulated when passing through the modulation waveguide w3 and the modulation waveguide w4. The electrical signal V1 transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 includes a sub-electrical signal V11 and a sub-electrical signal V12, and the sub-electrical signal V11 and the sub-electrical signal V12 are in differential form; the modulation waveguide w3 is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the sub-electrical signal V11; the modulation waveguide w4 is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the sub-electrical signal V12. In this example, since the electrical signal V11 received by the modulation waveguide w3 of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the electrical signal V12 received by the modulation waveguide w4 are in differential form, the phases of the optical signals output by the modulation waveguide w3 and the modulation waveguide w4 are exactly opposite. When the two optical signals with opposite phases interfere, the phase amounts are canceled. Therefore, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 specifically modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42.

[0074] Specifically, in Figure 8 In the optical modulator 40 shown, electrodes D3 and G3 are disposed on both sides of the modulation waveguide w3, and electrodes D4 and G4 are disposed on both sides of the modulation waveguide w3. The electrode G3 is grounded, and the electrode D3 receives the electrical signal V11, so that the refractive index of the modulation waveguide w3 changes under the action of the electrical signal V11, thereby modulating the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42. Exemplarily, according to Figure 8 In the placement position shown, the electrode D3 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w3, and the electrode G3 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w3. In other embodiments, the electrode D3 may be arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w3, and the electrode G3 may be arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w3. Among them, the electrode G4 is grounded, and the electrode D4 receives the electrical signal V12, so that the refractive index of the modulation waveguide w4 changes under the action of the electrical signal V12, thereby modulating the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42. Exemplarily, according to Figure 8In the placement shown, the electrode G4 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w4, and the electrode D4 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w4. In other embodiments, the electrode G4 may be arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w4, and the electrode D4 may be arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w4.

[0075] Exemplarily, when the modulation waveguide w4 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w3, and the electrode G3 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w3, and the electrode D3 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w3; when the electrode G4 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w4, and the electrode D4 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w4, the electrode G3 and the electrode G4 can be connected and shared, for example Fig. 9 As shown, the electrode D3 receives the electrical signal V11, the electrode D4 receives the electrical signal V12, and the electrode G3 and the electrode G4 are connected to a common ground.

[0076] The amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V2. The specific structure of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 can be referred to. Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Fig. 9 shown.

[0077] Specifically, refer to Figure 7 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 includes a modulation waveguide w2, and a third electrode and a fourth electrode arranged on both sides of the modulation waveguide w2, and the modulation waveguide w2 is a part of the ring waveguide 42. Among them, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 can be specifically the length of the modulation waveguide w2, and the first part of the optical signal S31 is modulated when passing through the modulation waveguide w2. One of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is grounded, and the other of the third electrode and the fourth electrode is used to receive the electrical signal transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit 43-2. ​​Exemplarily, refer to Figure 7 As shown, the third electrode may be, for example, electrode D2, and the fourth electrode may be, for example, electrode G2. Electrode G2 is grounded, and electrode D2 receives an electrical signal V2, so that the modulation waveguide w2 changes the absorbance of the first portion of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 under the action of the electrical signal V2, wherein the material of the modulation waveguide w2 may specifically include a material having defect state absorption characteristics, or a material having saturable absorption characteristics. Exemplarily, according to Figure 7 In the placement position shown, the electrode D2 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w2, and the electrode G2 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w2. In other embodiments, the electrode D2 may be arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w2, and the electrode G2 may be arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w2.

[0078] For example, refer to Figure 7As shown, when the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 1 includes the modulation waveguide w1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 2 includes the modulation waveguide w2 , the material of the modulation waveguide w1 and the material of the modulation waveguide w2 may be the same or different. Figure 7 The materials of the other parts of the ring waveguide 42 except the modulation waveguide w1 and the modulation waveguide w2, the material of the modulation waveguide w1 and the material of the modulation waveguide w2 may be the same, any two of them may be the same, or none of them may be different.

[0079] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 includes a modulation waveguide w5 and a modulation waveguide w6, the modulation waveguide w5 is a part of the ring waveguide 42, and the modulation waveguide w6 is coupled to the modulation waveguide w5; the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 will be transmitted to the modulation waveguide w5 and the modulation waveguide w6 of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2. ​​Among them, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 can specifically be the length of the modulation waveguide w5 or the modulation waveguide w6, and the first part of the optical signal S31 is modulated when passing through the modulation waveguide w5 and the modulation waveguide w6. The electrical signal V2 includes a sub-electrical signal V21 and a sub-electrical signal V22, and the sub-electrical signal V21 and the sub-electrical signal V22 are in differential form with each other; the modulation waveguide w5 is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the sub-electrical signal V21; the modulation waveguide w6 is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the sub-electrical signal V22. In this example, since the electrical signal V21 received by the modulation waveguide w5 of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the electrical signal V22 received by the modulation waveguide w6 are in differential form, the phases of the optical signals output by the modulation waveguide w5 and the modulation waveguide w6 are exactly opposite. When the two optical signals with opposite phases interfere, the phase amounts are canceled out. Therefore, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 specifically modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42.

[0080] Specifically, in Figure 8 In the optical modulator 40 shown, electrodes D5 and G5 are disposed on both sides of the modulation waveguide w5, and electrodes D6 and G6 are disposed on both sides of the modulation waveguide w6. The electrode G5 is grounded, and the electrode D5 receives the electrical signal V21, so that the refractive index of the modulation waveguide w5 changes under the action of the electrical signal V21, thereby modulating the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42. Exemplarily, according to Figure 8In the placement position shown, the electrode G5 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w5, and the electrode D5 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w5. In other embodiments, the electrode G5 may be arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w5, and the electrode D5 may be arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w5. Among them, the electrode G6 is grounded, and the electrode D6 receives the electrical signal V22, so that the refractive index of the modulation waveguide w6 changes under the action of the electrical signal V22, thereby modulating the phase of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42. Exemplarily, according to Figure 8 In the placement shown, the electrode D6 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w6, and the electrode G6 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w6. In other embodiments, the electrode D6 may be arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w6, and the electrode G6 may be arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w6.

[0081] Exemplarily, when the modulation waveguide w6 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w5, the electrode D5 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w5, and the electrode G5 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w5; when the electrode D6 is arranged on the left side of the modulation waveguide w6 and the electrode G6 is arranged on the right side of the modulation waveguide w6, the electrode G5 and the electrode G6 can be connected and shared, for example Fig. 9 As shown, electrode D5 receives an electrical signal V21, electrode D6 receives an electrical signal V22, and electrode G5 and electrode G6 are connected to a common ground.

[0082] For example, refer to Figure 8 or Fig. 9 As shown, when the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 each include two modulation waveguides, the eye diagram of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40 is referred to as Fig.10 As shown, among which, Fig.10 From the eye diagram, it can be seen that the maximum optical power of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40 is 0.007 watts (W), and the minimum optical power of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40 is 0.0021W. The optical modulation amplitude (OMA) of the optical modulator 40 is the maximum optical power of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40 minus the minimum optical power of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40, that is, 10×lg(0.007×1000)-10×lg(0.0021×1000)≈5.2dBm. That is, the OMA of the optical modulator 40 is 5.2dBm. In addition, the optical power of the carrier optical signal S30 received by the optical modulator 40 is 0.01W, so the insertion loss of the optical modulator 40 is specifically 10×lg(0.01÷0.007)≈1.5dB. It can be seen that the OMA of the optical modulator 40 is larger (ie, the modulation depth is larger) and the insertion loss is smaller.

[0083] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the N amplitude modulation units are specifically two amplitude modulation units, and the two amplitude modulation units are amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and amplitude modulation unit 43-2. ​​The ring waveguide 42 includes an area A1 close to the input and output waveguide 41, an area A2 away from the input and output waveguide 41, and a first side (for example, Figure 5 and the second side (e.g., Figure 5 The area A4 is shown on the right side. Figure 5 The amplitude modulation unit 43 - 1 shown is arranged in the area A4 , and the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 2 is arranged in the area A3 .

[0084] For example, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the location of the amplitude modulation unit. In the embodiments of the present application, any one of the N amplitude modulation units is disposed in region A1, region A2, region A3, or region A4. For example, when the N amplitude modulation units are specifically 2 amplitude modulation units, the 2 amplitude modulation units are amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and amplitude modulation unit 43-2, respectively. The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 may be disposed in region A1, region A2, region A3, or region A4, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 may be disposed in region A1, region A2, region A3, or region A4. For example, Fig.11 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is arranged in the area A1, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is arranged in the area A2. Fig.13 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 1 is arranged in the area A2, and the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 2 is arranged in the area A2.

[0085] For example, in Fig.11 In the optical modulator 40 shown in FIG. 1 , the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 1 includes a modulation waveguide w1 and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on both sides of the modulation waveguide w1 , and the modulation waveguide w2 is connected to the ring waveguide 42 . Fig.12 As shown, the first electrode, i.e. Fig.12 The electrode G1 shown is specifically arranged on the side of the input / output waveguide 41 away from the modulation waveguide w1; the second electrode, namely Fig.12 The electrode D1 shown is specifically arranged on a side of the modulation waveguide w1 away from the input-output waveguide 41. When the electrode G1 is grounded and the electrode D1 receives the electrical signal V1 transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the optical signal transmitted by the portion of the input-output waveguide 41 between the electrode D1 and the electrode G1 will also be modulated under the action of the electrical signal V1, so the portion of the input-output waveguide 41 between the electrode D1 and the electrode G1 is also called the modulation waveguide of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1.

[0086] For example, Fig.14 or Fig.15 As shown, compared to Figure 7 The light modulator 40 shown, Fig.14 The optical modulator 40 shown further includes a ring waveguide 46; the ring waveguide 46 is coupled to the ring waveguide 42; wherein, Fig.14 The ring waveguide 46 and the ring waveguide 42 are arranged in a direction parallel to the input and output waveguide 41. Fig.15 The ring waveguide 46 and the ring waveguide 42 shown are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the input-output waveguide 41; the ring waveguide 46 includes an area A5 close to the input-output waveguide 41, an area A6 far from the input-output waveguide 41, an area A7 located on the first side (left side) of the area A5 and the area A6, and an area A8 located on the second side (right side) of the area A5 and the area A6; any one of the N amplitude modulation units is arranged in the area A1 or the area A2 or the area A3 or the area A4 or the area A5 or the area A6 or the area A7 or the area A8.

[0087] Specifically, Fig.14 The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is arranged in the area A2, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is arranged in the area A8. Fig.14 The ring waveguide 46 shown forms a transmission optical path with the ring waveguide 42 in the order of "∞".

[0088] Specifically, Fig.15 The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is arranged in the area A4, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is arranged in the area A6. Fig.15 The ring waveguide 46 shown forms a transmission optical path with the ring waveguide 42 in the order of "8".

[0089] For example, Fig.14 or Fig.15The optical modulator 40 shown may also include a plurality of ring waveguides 46, and the plurality of ring waveguides 46 are coupled with the ring waveguide 42. The plurality of ring waveguides 46 are serially cascaded with the ring waveguide 42. The plurality of ring waveguides 46 and the ring waveguide 42 are arranged in a direction parallel to the input-output waveguide 41, or in a direction perpendicular to the input-output waveguide 42, or in any direction within the plane where the ring waveguide 41 is located, or in an array arrangement within the plane where the ring waveguide 41 is located. Any amplitude modulation unit among the N amplitude modulation units is disposed in area A1, area A2, area A3, or area A4, or in area A5, area A6, area A7, or area A8 of any ring waveguide 46 among the plurality of ring waveguides 46. In addition, at least one of the plurality of ring waveguides included in the optical modulator 40 is provided with an amplitude modulation unit, or each ring waveguide may be provided with an amplitude modulation unit, which is not limited in the present application.

[0090] In other examples, refer to Fig.16 As shown, in Fig.16 In the optical modulator 40 shown, the optical modulator 40 further includes a waveguide 44 (also referred to as a first waveguide), the waveguide 44 is coupled to a portion of the ring waveguide 42; at least one amplitude modulation unit among the N amplitude modulation units is disposed in a portion of the ring waveguide 42 coupled to the waveguide 44. Fig.16 The waveguide 44 shown is specifically coupled to the region A2 of the ring waveguide 42, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 are both arranged in the region A2 of the ring waveguide 42. In some examples, the waveguide 44 is specifically coupled to the region A2 of the ring waveguide 42, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 may be arranged in the region A2, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 may be arranged in the region A1, the region A3, or the region A4 of the ring waveguide 42. In other examples, the waveguide 44 is specifically coupled to the region A3 of the ring waveguide 42, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 are both arranged in the region A3 of the ring waveguide 42. In still other embodiments, the waveguide 44 is specifically coupled to the region A4 of the ring waveguide 42, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 are both arranged in the region A4 of the ring waveguide 42.

[0091] in, Figure 5 , Figures 7 to 9 , Figures 11 to 16 The optical modulator 40 shown in any of the figures includes one input and output waveguide 41. In some examples, the optical modulator 40 may also include two input and output waveguides. Fig.17As shown, the optical modulator 40 includes an input-output waveguide 41 and an input-output waveguide 45 (also referred to as a second input-output waveguide); the input-output waveguide 41 is coupled to the ring waveguide 42; and the input-output waveguide 45 is coupled to the ring waveguide 42. The input-output waveguide 41 is used to output the output optical signal S33 from the b-end of the input-output waveguide 41; the input-output waveguide 45 is used to receive a part of the modulated optical signal S34 in the modulated optical signal S32 generated in the ring waveguide 42, and output the part of the modulated optical signal S34. The a-end of the input-output waveguide 41 and the c-end of the input-output waveguide 45 are located on the same side of the ring waveguide 42. Specifically, according to subsequent needs, it is possible to select to transmit the part of the modulated optical signal S34 and / or the output optical signal S33 to the optical receiving device through an optical fiber, thereby improving the flexibility of the optical modulator 40.

[0092] For example, refer to Fig.17 As shown, the input-output waveguide 41 is coupled with the ring waveguide 42, and the input-output waveguide 45 is coupled with the ring waveguide 42. The input-output waveguide 41 and the input-output waveguide 45 may be respectively arranged on both sides of the ring waveguide, such as the upper and lower sides or the left and right sides. Alternatively, the input-output waveguide 41 is arranged on the lower side of the ring waveguide 42, and the input-output waveguide 45 is arranged on the left side of the ring waveguide 42. Alternatively, the input-output waveguide 41 is arranged on the lower side of the ring waveguide 42, and the input-output waveguide 45 is arranged on the lower side of the ring waveguide 42, etc.

[0093] For example, refer to Fig.17 As shown, the ring waveguide 42 includes a region A1 close to the input / output waveguide 41, a region A2 away from the input / output waveguide 41 and close to the input / output waveguide 45, and a region A1 and a region A2 located on a first side (e.g. Fig.17 and the second side (e.g., Fig.17 The area A4 is shown on the right side. Fig.17 The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 shown can be arranged in the area A1, the area A2, the area A3 or the area A4. Fig.17 The amplitude modulation unit 43-2 shown can be arranged in the area A1 or the area A2 or the area A3 or the area A4. Fig.17 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is arranged in the area A4, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 can be arranged in the area A3. Fig.18 As shown, the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43 - 2 are both disposed in the area A4 .

[0094] In other embodiments, reference Fig.19 As shown, Fig.19A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical modulator 40 provided in another embodiment of the present application, wherein: Fig.19 The optical modulator 40 shown is specifically used to implement PAM8 coded modulation. Fig.19 The N amplitude modulation units shown are specifically 3 amplitude modulation units, which are amplitude modulation unit 43-1, amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and amplitude modulation unit 43-3 respectively; the input electrical signal Vin received by the N amplitude modulation units specifically includes electrical signal V1, electrical signal V2 and electrical signal V3. Among them, the electrical signal V1 corresponds to the lowest bit of the PAM8 encoding, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives the electrical signal V1, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V1; the electrical signal V2 corresponds to the second highest bit of the PAM8 encoding, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives the electrical signal V2, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V2; the electrical signal V3 corresponds to the highest bit of the PAM8 encoding, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 receives the electrical signal V3, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulates the amplitude of the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V3. The amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32. The modulated optical signal S32 interferes with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 to finally generate an output optical signal S33 with 8 different amplitude levels.

[0095] Exemplarily, the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 specifically includes a first electrical parameter value and a second electrical parameter value, and the first electrical parameter value is different from the second electrical parameter value; the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 specifically includes a third electrical parameter value and a fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical parameter value is different from the fourth electrical parameter value; the electrical parameter value of the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 specifically includes a fifth electrical parameter value and a sixth electrical parameter value, and the fifth electrical parameter value is different from the sixth electrical parameter value.

[0096] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the first level, corresponding to the logic signal "000".

[0097] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the second level, corresponding to the logic signal "001".

[0098] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the third level, corresponding to the logic signal "010".

[0099] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fourth level, corresponding to the logic signal "011".

[0100] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fifth level, corresponding to the logic signal "100".

[0101] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the sixth level, corresponding to the logic signal "101".

[0102] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the seventh level, corresponding to the logic signal "110".

[0103] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the eighth level, corresponding to the logic signal "111".

[0104] In some examples, by adjusting the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value, the fourth electrical parameter value, the fifth electrical parameter value and the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude difference between any two adjacent amplitude levels can be made equal, thereby improving the linearity of the amplitude change of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40.

[0105] In some embodiments, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 and the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 are equal. In order to make the second level, the third level and the fifth level unequal, the second electrical parameter value is usually set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value and less than the sixth electrical parameter value. Among them, the first electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value and the fifth electrical parameter value can be specifically 0V or 0A, and the first electrical parameter value is less than the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value, and the fifth electrical parameter value is less than the sixth electrical parameter value. In other embodiments, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, which is smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-3. Then, when the second electrical parameter value is equal to the fourth electrical parameter value and equal to the sixth electrical parameter value, since the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, which is smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-3, the second level can also be smaller than the third level and smaller than the fifth level. Of course, the second electrical parameter value can also be set to be smaller than the fourth electrical parameter value and smaller than the sixth electrical parameter value, so that the second level is smaller than the third level and smaller than the fifth level.

[0106] For example, in Fig.19 In the embodiment, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 are arranged in the area A4, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is arranged in the area A3. The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 or the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 or the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 can be arranged in the area A1 or the area A2 or the area A3 or the area A4, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0107] In some embodiments, reference Fig. 20 As shown, Fig. 20 A schematic diagram of the structure of an optical modulator 40 provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein: Fig. 20 The optical modulator 40 shown is specifically used to implement PAM16 coded modulation. Fig. 20The N amplitude modulation units shown are specifically 4 amplitude modulation units, which are amplitude modulation unit 43-1, amplitude modulation unit 43-2, amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and amplitude modulation unit 43-4; the input electrical signal Vin received by the N amplitude modulation units specifically includes electrical signal V1, electrical signal V2, electrical signal V3 and electrical signal V4. Among them, the electrical signal V1 corresponds to the lowest bit of the PAM16 code, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 receives the electrical signal V1, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V1; the electrical signal V2 corresponds to the second lowest bit of the PAM16 code, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 receives the electrical signal V2, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V2. The electrical signal V3 corresponds to the second highest bit of the PAM16 encoding, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 receives the electrical signal V3. The amplitude modulation unit 43-3 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V3; the electrical signal V4 corresponds to the highest bit of the PAM16 encoding, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 receives the electrical signal V4. The amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 according to the electrical signal V4. Among them, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32. The modulated optical signal S32 interferes with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 to finally generate 16 output optical signals S33 with different amplitude levels.

[0108] Exemplarily, the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 specifically include a first electrical parameter value and a second electrical parameter value, and the first electrical parameter value is different from the second electrical parameter value; the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 specifically include a third electrical parameter value and a fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical parameter value is different from the fourth electrical parameter value; the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 specifically include a fifth electrical parameter value and a sixth electrical parameter value, and the fifth electrical parameter value is different from the sixth electrical parameter value; the electrical parameter values ​​of the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 specifically include a seventh electrical parameter value and an eighth electrical parameter value, and the seventh electrical parameter value is different from the eighth electrical parameter value.

[0109] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the first level, corresponding to the logic signal "0000".

[0110] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the second level, corresponding to the logic signal "0001".

[0111] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the third level, corresponding to the logic signal "0010".

[0112] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fourth level, corresponding to the logic signal "0011".

[0113] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fifth level, corresponding to the logic signal "0100".

[0114] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the sixth level, corresponding to the logic signal "0101".

[0115] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the seventh level, corresponding to the logic signal "0110".

[0116] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the eighth level, corresponding to the logic signal "0111".

[0117] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the ninth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1000".

[0118] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the tenth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1001".

[0119] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the eleventh level, corresponding to the logic signal "1010".

[0120] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the twelfth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1011".

[0121] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the thirteenth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1100".

[0122] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the third electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fourteenth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1101".

[0123] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the first electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the fifteenth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1110".

[0124] When the electrical signal V1 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is the second electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V2 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 is the fourth electrical parameter value, the electrical signal V3 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the electrical signal V4 received by the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal S31 transmitted in the ring waveguide 42 to generate a modulated optical signal S32, so that the amplitude level of the output optical signal S33 generated by the interference of the modulated optical signal S32 with the second part of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal S30 is the sixteenth level, corresponding to the logic signal "1111".

[0125] In some examples, by adjusting the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value, the fourth electrical parameter value, the fifth electrical parameter value, the sixth electrical parameter value, the seventh electrical parameter value and the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude difference between any two adjacent amplitude levels can be made equal, thereby improving the linearity of the amplitude change of the output optical signal S33 generated by the optical modulator 40.

[0126] In some embodiments, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 are equal. In order to make the second level, the third level, the fifth level and the ninth level unequal, the second electrical parameter value is usually set to be less than the fourth electrical parameter value, less than the sixth electrical parameter value and less than the eighth electrical parameter value. Among them, the first electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value, the fifth electrical parameter value and the seventh electrical parameter value can be specifically 0V or 0A, and the first electrical parameter value is less than the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value, the fifth electrical parameter value is less than the sixth electrical parameter value, and the seventh electrical parameter value is less than the eighth electrical parameter value. In other embodiments, the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-3, smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-4. Then, when the second electrical parameter value is equal to the fourth electrical parameter value, equal to the sixth electrical parameter value, equal to the eighth electrical parameter value, since the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 is smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-2, smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-3, smaller than the modulation length of the amplitude modulation unit 43-4, the second level can also be made smaller than the third level, smaller than the fifth level, and smaller than the ninth level. Of course, the second electrical parameter value can also be set to be smaller than the fourth electrical parameter value, smaller than the sixth electrical parameter value, and smaller than the eighth electrical parameter value, so that the second level is smaller than the third level, smaller than the fifth level, and smaller than the ninth level.

[0127] For example, in Fig. 20 In the embodiment, the amplitude modulation unit 43-1 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 are arranged in the area A4, and the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 and the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 are arranged in the area A3. The amplitude modulation unit 43-1 or the amplitude modulation unit 43-2 or the amplitude modulation unit 43-3 or the amplitude modulation unit 43-4 can be arranged in the area A1 or the area A2 or the area A3 or the area A4, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0128] For example, Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figures 7 to 9 , Figures 11 to 20 The light modulator 40 shown in any of the figures can be replaced by Figure 1 The optical modulator 113 in the optical module 110 includes a light source 112 and an optical modulator 40; the light source 112 is used to generate a carrier optical signal S30 and transmit the carrier optical signal S30 to the optical modulator 40. Then Figure 1 In the optical transmitting device 11 shown, the encoder 111 is specifically used to receive transmission data, generate an input electrical signal Vin according to the transmission data, and transmit the input electrical signal Vin to the optical modulator 40 in the optical module.

[0129] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An optical modulator, characterized in that: include: A first input / output waveguide, a ring waveguide, and N amplitude modulation units disposed on the ring waveguide, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; wherein the first input / output waveguide is coupled to the ring waveguide; The first input-output waveguide is used to receive a carrier optical signal and couple a first portion of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal into the ring waveguide; The N amplitude modulation units are used to receive an input electrical signal, and modulate the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide to different degrees according to the input electrical signal to generate a modulated optical signal; The first input-output waveguide is further used to interfere the modulated optical signal with a second portion of the optical signal in the carrier optical signal to generate an output optical signal, and output the output optical signal, wherein the first portion of the optical signal is different from the second portion of the optical signal.

2. The optical modulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The input electrical signal includes N electrical signals respectively transmitted to the N amplitude modulation units, and each of the amplitude modulation units modulates the round trip loss of the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide according to the received electrical signal; Each of the electrical signals includes two electrical parameter values, and the input electrical signal includes 2 N Combination of electrical parameter values, 2 N The combination of the electrical parameter values ​​and the output optical signal N There is a one-to-one correspondence between different amplitude levels, and the electrical parameter value includes a voltage value or a current value.

3. The optical modulator according to claim 2, characterized in that The N amplitude modulation units include a first amplitude modulation unit and a second amplitude modulation unit; the input electrical signal includes a first electrical signal transmitted to the first amplitude modulation unit and a second electrical signal transmitted to the second amplitude modulation unit; When the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a first level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the second level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the third level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value and the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourth level; The first electrical parameter value is different from the second electrical parameter value, and the third electrical parameter value is different from the fourth electrical parameter value.

4. The optical modulator according to claim 3, characterized in that The modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is equal to the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value; or, The modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is smaller than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is smaller than or equal to the fourth electrical parameter value.

5. The optical modulator according to claim 2, characterized in that The N amplitude modulation units include a first amplitude modulation unit, a second amplitude modulation unit and a third amplitude modulation unit; the input electrical signal includes a first electrical signal transmitted to the first amplitude modulation unit, a second electrical signal transmitted to the second amplitude modulation unit and a third electrical signal transmitted to the third amplitude modulation unit; When the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a first level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the second level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the third level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fifth level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the sixth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the seventh level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, and the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the eighth level; Among them, the first electrical parameter value is different from the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value is different from the fourth electrical parameter value, and the fifth electrical parameter value is different from the sixth electrical parameter value.

6. The optical modulator according to claim 5, characterized in that The modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit are equal, and the second electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value and less than the sixth electrical parameter value; or, The modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is smaller than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit and smaller than the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is smaller than or equal to the fourth electrical parameter value and smaller than or equal to the sixth electrical parameter value.

7. The optical modulator according to claim 2, characterized in that The N amplitude modulation units include a first amplitude modulation unit, a second amplitude modulation unit, a third amplitude modulation unit and a fourth amplitude modulation unit; the input electrical signal includes a first electrical signal transmitted to the first amplitude modulation unit, a second electrical signal transmitted to the second amplitude modulation unit, a third electrical signal transmitted to the third amplitude modulation unit and a fourth electrical signal transmitted to the fourth amplitude modulation unit; When the first electrical signal is a first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is a third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is a fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is a seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is a first level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the second level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the third level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fifth level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the sixth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the seventh level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the seventh electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the eighth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the ninth level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the tenth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the eleventh level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the fifth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the twelfth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the thirteenth level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the third electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fourteenth level; When the first electrical signal is the first electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the fifteenth level; When the first electrical signal is the second electrical parameter value, the second electrical signal is the fourth electrical parameter value, the third electrical signal is the sixth electrical parameter value, and the fourth electrical signal is the eighth electrical parameter value, the amplitude level of the output optical signal is the sixteenth level; Among them, the first electrical parameter value is different from the second electrical parameter value, the third electrical parameter value is different from the fourth electrical parameter value, the fifth electrical parameter value is different from the sixth electrical parameter value, and the seventh electrical parameter value is different from the eighth electrical parameter value.

8. The optical modulator according to claim 7, characterized in that The modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit and the modulation length of the fourth amplitude modulation unit are equal, and the second electrical parameter value is less than the fourth electrical parameter value, less than the sixth electrical parameter value and less than the eighth electrical parameter value; or, The modulation length of the first amplitude modulation unit is smaller than the modulation length of the second amplitude modulation unit, smaller than the modulation length of the third amplitude modulation unit, smaller than the modulation length of the fourth amplitude modulation unit, and the second electrical parameter value is smaller than or equal to the fourth electrical parameter value, smaller than or equal to the sixth electrical parameter value, smaller than or equal to the eighth electrical parameter value.

9. The optical modulator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The optical modulator further includes a second input-output waveguide coupled to the ring waveguide; The second input-output waveguide is used to receive a portion of the modulated optical signal generated in the ring waveguide, and output the portion of the modulated optical signal.

10. The optical modulator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The optical modulator further comprises at least one first ring waveguide; the ring waveguide is coupled to the first ring waveguide; The ring waveguide and the first ring waveguide are arranged in a direction parallel to the first input / output waveguide, or the ring waveguide and the first ring waveguide are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first input / output waveguide.

11. The optical modulator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The optical modulator further includes a first waveguide coupled to a portion of the ring waveguide; At least one amplitude modulation unit among the N amplitude modulation units is disposed in a portion of the ring waveguide coupled to the first waveguide.

12. The optical modulator according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that: The amplitude modulation unit includes a modulation waveguide, and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on both sides of the modulation waveguide; the modulation waveguide is a part of the ring waveguide, one of the first electrode and the second electrode is grounded, and the other of the first electrode and the second electrode is used to receive the electrical signal transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit.

13. The optical modulator according to claim 12, characterized in that The material of the modulation waveguide is different from the material of other parts of the ring waveguide except the modulation waveguide.

14. The optical modulator according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that: The amplitude modulation unit includes a first modulation waveguide and a second modulation waveguide, the first modulation waveguide is a part of the ring waveguide, the second modulation waveguide is coupled to the first modulation waveguide, and the first part of the optical signal transmitted in the ring waveguide is transmitted to the first modulation waveguide and the second modulation waveguide; The electrical signal transmitted to the amplitude modulation unit includes a first sub-electrical signal and a second sub-electrical signal, wherein the first sub-electrical signal and the second sub-electrical signal are in differential form; the first modulation waveguide is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal according to the first sub-electrical signal; and the second modulation waveguide is used to modulate the phase of the first part of the optical signal according to the second sub-electrical signal.

15. An optical module, characterized in that: comprising a light source and a light modulator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14; The light source is used to generate a carrier optical signal and transmit the carrier optical signal to the optical modulator.

16. An optical transmission device, characterized in that: comprising an encoder and the optical module as claimed in claim 15; The encoder is used to receive transmission data, generate an input electrical signal according to the transmission data, and transmit the input electrical signal to the optical modulator in the optical module.

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