System and method for remote optical power supply communication for uncooled WDM optical links

Abstract

An optical power supply comprises a plurality of lasers in a laser array, each of the plurality of lasers configured to generate a separate continuous wave laser light beam. The optical power supply comprises a temperature sensor that obtains a temperature associated with the laser array. The optical power supply comprises a digital controller that receives a notification of the temperature from the temperature sensor. The optical power supply comprises an optical power regulator controlled by the digital controller. The optical power regulator adjusts an optical power level of one or more beams of continuous wave laser light generated by the plurality of lasers to generate an optical power encoding that conveys information regarding the temperature associated with the laser array obtained by the temperature sensor. An electro-optic chip receives the continuous wave laser light beam from the optical power supply and decodes the optical power encoding.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001]

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to optical data communications.

[0003] [Background technology]

[0004] Optical data communication systems operate by modulating laser light to encode a digital data pattern. The modulated laser light is transmitted from a sending node to a receiving node through an optical data network. Upon reaching the receiving node, the modulated laser light is demodulated to obtain the original digital data pattern. Thus, the implementation and operation of optical data communication systems depends on having reliable and efficient devices for the transmission of optical signals, the coupling of optical signals between optical waveguides, the modulation of optical signals, and the reception of optical signals. It is in this context that the disclosed embodiments arise. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one example embodiment, an optical power supply is disclosed. The optical power supply comprises a laser array including a plurality of lasers, each of the plurality of lasers configured to generate a separate continuous wave laser light beam. The optical power supply further comprises a temperature sensor configured to obtain a temperature associated with the laser array. The optical power supply further comprises a digital controller configured to receive a temperature notification from the temperature sensor. The optical power supply further comprises an optical power regulator controlled by the digital controller. The optical power regulator is configured to adjust an optical power level of one or more beams of continuous wave laser light generated by the plurality of lasers to generate an optical power encoding that conveys information regarding the temperature associated with the laser array obtained by the temperature sensor.

[0006] In one example embodiment, an optical data communication system is disclosed. The optical data communication system includes an optical power supply configured to generate and output a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. The optical power supply is configured to apply optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. The optical power encoding conveys information about the optical power supply. The optical data communication system further includes an electro-optic chip optically coupled to receive the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams having optical power encoding output by the optical power supply. The electro-optic chip is configured to decode the optical power encoding to obtain information about the optical power supply conveyed in the optical power encoding. The electro-optic chip is configured to use the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams as a source light for generating a modulated optical signal.

[0007] In an example embodiment, a method for data communication between an optical power supply and an electro-optic chip is disclosed. The method comprises generating a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at an optical power supply separate from the electro-optic chip. The method further comprises adjusting an optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at the optical power supply to provide optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. The method further comprises communicating the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams having optical power encoding from the optical power supply to the electro-optic chip. The method further comprises detecting an optical power level of each of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at the electro-optic chip to identify the optical power encoding. The method further comprises determining information represented by the optical power encoding at the electro-optic chip.

[0008] In one example embodiment, a method for data communication between an optical power supply and an electro-optic chip is disclosed. The method comprises generating a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at an optical power supply remote from the electro-optic chip. At least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is generated distinct from other beams of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to provide information about the optical power supply. The method further comprises communicating the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to the electro-optic chip. The method further comprises detecting at least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams distinct from other beams of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to determine information provided about the optical power supply.

[0009] Other aspects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate disclosed embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for unidirectional data communication from a remote optical power supply to an electro-optical chip in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for bidirectional data communication between a remote optical power supply and an electro-optical chip in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a modulator within an electro-optic chip for modulating a continuous wave laser optical signal received from a remote optical power supply to generate a return modulated optical signal transmitted through a return channel in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] [Diagram 3] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for data communication between a remote optical power supply and an electro-optical chip, according to some embodiments.

[0014] [Figure 4] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for data communication between a remote optical power supply and an electro-optical chip, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. Additionally, detailed descriptions of well-known process operations are omitted in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosed embodiments.

[0016] High bandwidth, multi-wavelength WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) optical data communication systems are used to meet the increasing interconnection data communication bandwidth requirements. In some implementations of high bandwidth, multi-wavelength WDM optical data communication systems, a remote laser array configured to output N wavelengths of continuous wave light is combined with an optical distribution network to generate a combination of multiple wavelengths of continuous wave light across many optical feed ports for transmission to an electro-optic chip. In some embodiments, the electro-optic chip is a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chip. In some embodiments, the electro-optic chip is a SOI (silicon-on-insulator) chip. In some embodiments, the electro-optic chip is an Ayar Labs TeraPHY™ chip, such as that described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 184,537. However, the electro-optic chip referred to herein can be any type of photonic / electronic chip that transmits and receives data.

[0017] Copackaged optics (CPO) are being implemented in data centers and high performance computing (HPC) systems. Many CPO configurations utilize an external laser source (remote optical power supply) to improve the overall yield and reliability of the system. In some situations, the remote optical power supplies are far away (up to 2 kilometers or more) from the electro-optic chips to which they provide laser light. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide an effective way to establish data communication between the remote optical power supplies and the electro-optic chips to which they provide laser light.

[0018] Described herein are embodiments for a system and method for communicating information (data) from a remote optical power supply (e.g., a WDM laser source) to an electro-optic chip and vice versa. It is important to set up this data communication especially at the start-up of the communication link when the temperature of the remote optical power supply is unknown to the electro-optic chip. When the communication link between the remote optical power supply and the electro-optic chip is initiated, the electro-optic chip is typically driven to its highest ring resonator (or ring modulator) tuning power and maximum temperature. If the remote optical power supply is cold during the start-up phase of this communication link and the operating wavelength lock of the ring resonator (or ring modulator) has been completed, if the temperature of the remote optical power supply subsequently increases, the operating wavelength lock of the ring resonator (or ring modulator) will be lost because there is no longer a wavelength tuning range for the ring resonator (or ring modulator) on the electro-optic chip. Described herein are systems and methods by which a remote optical power supply can communicate either unidirectionally or bidirectionally with an electro-optical chip to provide exchange of condition information (data) (e.g., temperature information (data)) between the remote optical power supply and the electro-optical chip for the purpose of managing unknown temperature and related chip operating condition changes of both the remote optical power supply and the electro-optical chip.

[0019] Disclosed herein are system configurations that provide data communication of a remote optical power supply (e.g., a WDM laser source) with an electro-optic chip to support modulation and transmission of optical signals between processors, such as between a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) and / or any other type of computer processor. In various embodiments, optical signals from a laser array of a remote optical power supply are embedded (encoded and / or modulated) with data conveying temperature and related chip operation information regarding the remote optical power supply. The optical signals with the embedded and / or modulated data are then transmitted from the laser array to the electro-optic chip to provide information exchange.

[0020] In some embodiments, for one-way data communication from the remote optical power supply to the electro-optic chip, the intensity (optical power level) of each optical signal from the laser array of the remote optical power supply is digitized to convey a digital data pattern for detection by a receiver at the electro-optic chip. The digital data pattern is detected by the electro-optic chip, and the digital data pattern conveys some condition information (such as temperature data or other data) about the remote optical power supply. In some embodiments, the intensity of each optical signal output by the remote optical power supply is adjusted by adjusting a bias current used to generate the optical signal, or by using one or more variable optical attenuators (such as variable optical attenuator arrays) to reduce the intensity of one or more optical signals relative to the other optical signals, or by using one or more optical amplifiers (such as variable optical amplifier arrays) to increase the intensity of one or more optical signals relative to the other optical signals.

[0021] 1 illustrates an example of a system for unidirectional data communication from a remote optical power supply 101 to an electro-optic chip 103, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the remote optical power supply 101 is a WDM laser source comprising a laser array 102 of N lasers 102-1 to 102-N configured to output respective beams of continuous wave laser light. In some embodiments, the N different beams of laser light output by the remote optical power supply 101 are each at different wavelengths λ1 to λ N In some embodiments, each of the lasers 102-1 to 102-N in the laser array 102 emits a different wavelength λ1 to λ2 with substantially uniform optical power. N For example, the lengths of the arrows shown in box 105 correspond to the wavelengths λ1 to λN outputted by lasers 102-1 to 102-N of laser array 102 of remote optical power supply 101, respectively. N represents the relative optical powers of the N laser beams having

[0022] A temperature sensor 111 acquires temperature data from the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, the temperature data acquired by the temperature sensor 111 includes a separate real-time temperature measurement of each laser 102-1 to 102-N in the laser array 102 of the remote optical power supply 101. The temperature data acquired by the temperature sensor 111 is transmitted to the digital controller 115. The digital controller 115 is configured to direct operation of the optical power adjuster 107 to adjust one or more optical power levels of one or more of the N laser beams output by the N lasers 102-1 to 102-N, respectively, of the laser array 102 of the remote optical power supply 101 such that a resulting set of N optical power levels of the N laser beams defines an optical power encoding. The pattern of N optical power levels across the N optical beams in the optical power encoding conveys information regarding the temperature of the remote optical power supply 101 measured by the temperature sensor 111. For example, the lengths of the arrows shown in box 109 correspond to the wavelengths λ1 to λ2, respectively, that were first output by remote optical power supply 101 and then processed by optical power adjuster 107 to generate the optical power encoding. N1 represents the relative optical powers of the N laser beams having the same optical power level as the second laser beam (λ2). In the example of FIG. 1, the optical power encoding represented by the arrows in box 109 includes an increase in the optical power level of the second laser beam (λ2) relative to the other laser beams in the set of N laser beams. By way of example, a pattern of N optical power levels across the N laser beams, where the optical power level of the second laser beam (λ2) is increased relative to the other laser beams in the set of N laser beams, defines an optical power encoding that conveys information regarding the temperature of the remote optical power supply 101 as measured by temperature sensor 111. It should be appreciated that any one or more of the optical power levels of the N laser beams output by laser array 102 may be adjusted as needed to generate a particular optical power encoding that is associated with a particular temperature condition within the remote optical power supply 101, such that subsequent decoding of the particular optical power encoding conveys the particular temperature condition within the remote optical power supply 101.

[0023] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 111 obtains analog information (temperature data) from the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, an optional analog-to-digital converter 113 is implemented to convert the analog information obtained by the temperature sensor 111 into digital levels used by the digital controller 115 to direct the operation of the optical power adjusters 107 to generate the optical power encoding of the N laser beams output by the laser array 102 of the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, the digital controller 115 is configured to output digital control signals to direct the operation of the optical power adjusters 107. In some embodiments, the optical power adjusters 107 are configured to operate according to the analog control signals. In these embodiments, the optical digital-to-analog converter 117 is implemented in route to the optical power adjusters 107 to convert the digital control signals output by the digital controller 115 into corresponding analog control signals. In some embodiments, the optical power adjusters 107 are configured to operate according to the digital control signals. In these embodiments, digital-to-analog co-converter 117 is omitted such that the output of digital controller 115 is communicated directly to the control signal input of optical power adjuster 107 .

[0024] In some embodiments, the bias currents of one or more lasers 102-1 to 102-N in the laser array 102 of the remote optical power supply 101 are adjusted to generate the desired optical power encoding for N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2. NIn some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is implemented within laser array 102 to receive control information from digital controller 115 and adjust the bias currents of lasers 102-1 through 102-N as needed to generate the desired optical power encoding. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is implemented remotely from laser array 102. In some of these embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 adjusts the optical power of the laser light at one or more of the wavelengths λ1 through λN output by laser array 102. N In some of these embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 comprises N optical amplification channels respectively corresponding to the N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by laser array 102, where each of the N optical amplification channels comprises one or more optical amplifiers. N In some of these embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 includes N optical attenuation channels respectively corresponding to the N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of continuous wave laser light output by laser array 102, where each of the N optical attenuation channels includes one or more optical attenuators. N The optical amplifier includes both N optical amplification channels and N optical attenuation channels corresponding to the continuous wave laser light of each of the N optical amplification channels, each of the N optical attenuation channels including one or more optical amplifiers and each of the N optical attenuation channels including one or more optical attenuators, respectively.

[0025] Additionally, in some embodiments, even if optical power adjuster 107 is implemented remotely from laser array 102, optical power adjuster 107 is implemented to receive control information from digital controller 115 and adjust the bias currents of lasers 102-1 through 102-N as needed to generate the desired optical power encoding. Thus, in various embodiments, the N different wavelengths λ1 through λ2 output by laser array 102 are adjusted to generate the desired optical power encoding. NThe optical power level of any one of the N channels corresponding to the continuous wave laser light can be adjusted upward or downward by adjusting the bias current used to operate the corresponding laser 102-1 to 102-N, or can be adjusted upward by operating the corresponding optical amplification channel, or can be adjusted downward by operating the corresponding optical attenuation channel.

[0026] In some embodiments, the optical power adjuster 107 adjusts the N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by the laser array 102. N The optical power encoding system includes N optical amplification channels corresponding to the N continuous wave laser beams, respectively, where each of the N optical amplification channels includes one or more optical amplifiers. In some embodiments, the optical power encoding of the N laser beams is performed by increasing the optical power level of any one or more of the N laser beams relative to a normal optical power level of the N laser beams output by the plurality of lasers 102-1 to 102-N. In some of these embodiments, each of the N laser beams may have one of two power levels (i.e., a normal level or a high level) in the optical power encoding of the N laser beams. As a result, two power levels for defining the optical power encoding of the N laser beams may be used. N There are 2 possible unique patterns. Thus, in these embodiments, N N possible unique temperature data values ​​can be conveyed by the optical power encoding of the N laser beams.

[0027] In some embodiments, the optical power adjuster 107 adjusts the N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of the continuous wave laser light output by the laser array 102. NThe optical power encoding system includes N optical attenuation channels respectively corresponding to the N laser beams, where each of the N optical attenuation channels includes one or more optical attenuators. In some embodiments, the optical power encoding of the N laser beams is done by lowering the optical power level of any one or more of the N laser beams relative to a normal optical power level of the N laser beams output by the plurality of lasers 102-1 through 102-N. In some of these embodiments, each of the N laser beams may have one of two power levels (i.e., a normal level or a low level) in the optical power encoding of the N laser beams. As a result, two power levels for defining the optical power encoding of the N laser beams may be used. N There are 2 possible unique patterns. Thus, in these embodiments, N N possible unique temperature data values ​​can be conveyed by the optical power encoding of the N laser beams.

[0028] In some embodiments, the optical power adjuster 107 adjusts the N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by the laser array 102. N The optical power encoding system includes both N optical amplification channels and N optical attenuation channels corresponding to the N continuous wave laser beams, respectively, where each of the N optical amplification channels includes one or more optical amplifiers and each of the N optical attenuation channels includes one or more optical attenuators. In some embodiments, the optical power encoding of the N laser beams is performed by increasing or decreasing the optical power level of any one or more of the N laser beams relative to a normal optical power level of the N laser beams output by the multiple lasers 102-1 to 102-N. In some of these embodiments, each of the N laser beams may have one of three power levels (i.e., a low level, a normal level, or a high level) in the optical power encoding of the N laser beams. As a result, three power levels for defining the optical power encoding of the N laser beams are used. N There are therefore 3 possible unique patterns. NN possible unique temperature data values ​​can be conveyed by the optical power encoding of the N laser beams.

[0029] In some embodiments, the optical power encoding of the N laser beams is done by setting the optical power level of each of the N laser beams to any one of p possible power levels, where P is an integer greater than 1. In these embodiments, each of the N laser beams output by the laser array 102 can have any one of p power levels in the optical power encoding of the N laser beams. As a result, P of the optical power encoding of the N laser beams N There are possible unique patterns. Thus, in these embodiments, P N N possible unique temperature data values ​​can be conveyed by the optical power encoding of the N laser beams.

[0030] Different wavelengths λ1~λ N The optical power coding, defined by the coded / modulated power levels of the continuous wavelength laser light, is transmitted from the remote optical power supply 101 through the optical fiber 110 to the electro-optic chip 103. The electro-optic chip 103 receives the different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 from the optical fiber 110. N and receive continuous wave light of different wavelengths λ1 to λ N The optical power detector 119 determines the optical power level of each of the different wavelengths λ1 to λ N The optical power level information for each of the continuous wave laser beams is transmitted from the optical power detector 119 to a digital controller 121 (also called a decoder). The digital controller 121 receives a set of N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2, and converts the received N different wavelengths λ3 to λ4. N To determine the optical power coding represented by the continuous wave laser light of different wavelengths λ1 to λ NThe digital controller 121 is configured to decode and / or demodulate the optical power level of the continuous wave laser light of the remote optical power supply 101. The digital controller 121 is further configured to determine temperature information (analog chip information) about the remote optical power supply 101 represented by the decoded optical power encoding. The temperature information obtained from the decoded optical power encoding is communicated to the photonic integrated circuit 127 on the electro-optic chip 103 as shown by arrow 122. The photonic integrated circuit 127 uses the temperature information (analog chip information) about the remote optical power supply 101 to determine the temperature levels of the continuous wave laser light of the different wavelengths λ1 to λ2. N 1 through 102-N in the laser array 102. For example, in some embodiments, the photonic integrated circuit 127 uses temperature information about the various lasers 102-1 through 102-N in the laser array 102 (obtained from the decoded optical power encoding) to adjust the operating parameters of the ring resonator (ring modulator) on the electro-optic chip 103 to ensure that the continuous wave laser light of N wavelengths λ1 through λ2 output by the remote optical power supply 101. N λ 1 to λ 2 , and then determining the corresponding wavelength drift that occurred across the different wavelengths λ 1 to λ 2 of the continuous wave laser light. N The electro-optic chip 103 controls the locking of the resonant wavelengths of the ring resonators (ring modulators) on the electro-optic chip 103 to adjust for the determined wavelength drift so that the respective ones of the ring resonators (ring modulators) are precisely optically coupled to the corresponding ones of the ring resonators (ring modulators).

[0031] In some embodiments, the different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of optical power present in the optical power encoding received by the optical power detector 119 are N The continuous wave laser light of λ1 to λ2 is directly transmitted to the photonic integrated circuit 127 for optical incoupling and processing (e.g., modulation). However, in some embodiments, the different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 are N It is desirable for the continuous wave laser light of λ1 to λ2 to have a substantially uniform power level when entering the photonic integrated circuit 127. In these embodiments, the different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of optical power present in the optical power coding received by the optical power detector 119 areN The continuous wave laser light is transmitted to an optical power adjuster 123 on the electro-optic chip 103. The optical power adjuster 123 adjusts N different wavelengths λ1 to λ N In order to ensure that the continuous wave laser light has a substantially uniform power level when it enters the photonic integrated circuit 127, N different wavelengths λ1 to λ N In these embodiments, optical power adjuster 123 in electro-optic chip 103 essentially operates to undo the optical power adjustments applied by optical power adjuster 107 in remote optical power supply 101. For example, the lengths of the arrows shown in box 125 correspond to the optical power levels of the N different wavelengths λ1 through λ2 output by optical power adjuster 123. N In some embodiments, the optical power encoding determined by the digital controller 121 represents the relative optical power of N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of the continuous wave laser light. N are communicated as inputs to optical power adjuster 123, as indicated by arrow 124, so that optical power adjuster 123 knows how it needs to be adjusted to undo the optical power encoding applied by optical power adjuster 107 in remote optical power supply 101.

[0032] In some embodiments, the optical power detector 119 detects N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 received from the remote optical power supply 101. N123. In some of these embodiments, optical analog-to-digital converter 129 is implemented to convert the analog information generated by optical power detector 119 to a digital level used by digital controller 121. In some embodiments, digital controller 121 is configured to output a digital control signal to direct the operation of optical power adjuster 123. However, in some embodiments, optical power adjuster 123 is configured to operate according to the analog control signal. In these embodiments, optical digital-to-analog converter 131 is implemented in route to optical power adjuster 123 to convert the digital control signal output by digital controller 124 to a corresponding analog control signal. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 123 is configured to operate according to the digital control signal. In these embodiments, digital-to-analog converter 131 is omitted such that the output of digital controller 124 is communicated directly to the input of optical power adjuster 123.

[0033] As shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1, N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by a laser array 102 of a remote optical power supply 101 are laser-coiled at different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 to generate an optical power encoding that conveys relevant operational control information (such as temperature information) for the remote optical power supply 101 from the remote optical power supply 101 to an electro-optic chip 103. N Digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion is used to encode and / or modulate the power level of the continuous wave laser light of N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by the remote optical power supply 101. N The optical power level of the continuous wave laser light provides at least one N-bit signal that is used to communicate data in real time regarding the operation of the remote optical power supply 101 related to the proper operation of the electro-optic chip 103.

[0034] The optical power encoding (e.g., an N-bit DAC signal) encodes analog temperature information about the laser array 102 and / or other relevant chip information about the remote optical power supply 101 and communicates that information to the electro-optical chip 103, which is optically connected to the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, when the temperature of the laser array 102 is low, the optical power adjuster 107 adjusts the N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by the laser array 102 to generate the optical power encoding (e.g., an N-bit DAC signal). N The electro-optic chip 103 is operated to apply higher optical power to one or more of the continuous wave laser beams of N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 received from the remote optical power supply 101. N The electro-optic chip 103 is configured to determine the optical power of each separate one of the continuous wave laser lights of N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of the received laser light during locking of the resonant wavelength of the ring resonator (ring modulator) in the electro-optic chip 103. N is configured to determine which of the ring resonators in the electro-optic chip 103 is at a higher optical power. In some embodiments, the remaining ring resonators in the set (the ring resonators / modulators that do not correspond to the wavelength of the received laser light with a higher optical power) have their resonant wavelengths controlled / set to have an appropriate amount of tuning power that leaves room for resonant wavelength adjustment when the temperature of the laser array 102 in the remote optical power supply 101 changes (e.g., increases). Similarly, in some embodiments, when the optical power encoding (N-bit DAC signal) indicates that the temperature of the laser array 102 in the remote optical power supply 101 is high, a set of ring resonators (ring modulators) in the electro-optic chip 103 have their resonant wavelengths controlled / set to have a higher tuning power to account for the decreasing temperature drift of the laser array 102 in the remote optical power supply 101.

[0035] In one example embodiment, remote optical power supply 101 comprises laser array 102 including multiple lasers 102-1 to 102-N, where each of multiple lasers 102-1 to 102-N is configured to generate a separate continuous wave laser light beam. In this example embodiment, temperature sensor 111 is configured to obtain a temperature associated with laser array 102. In this example embodiment, digital controller 115 is configured to receive a temperature notification from temperature sensor 111. In this example embodiment, optical power adjuster 107 is controlled by digital controller 115. Optical power adjuster 107 is configured to adjust an optical power level of one or more beams of continuous wave laser light generated by multiple lasers 102-1 to 102-N to generate an optical power encoding that conveys information regarding the temperature associated with laser array 102 obtained by temperature sensor 111.

[0036] In some embodiments, the temperature associated with laser array 102 includes a temperature of each of multiple lasers 102-1-102-N, and the optical power encoding conveys information regarding the temperature of each of multiple lasers 102-1-102-N. In some embodiments, the temperature associated with laser array 102 is obtained in real time, and digital controller 115 is configured to direct operation of optical power adjuster 107 to generate the optical power encoding in real time. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is configured to adjust one or more bias currents provided to one or more of multiple lasers 102-1-102-N, respectively, according to a control signal received from digital controller 115. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is configured to amplify one or more of the separate continuous wave laser light beams generated by multiple lasers 102-1-102-N according to a control signal received from digital controller 115. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is configured to attenuate one or more of the separate continuous wave laser light beams generated by the plurality of lasers 102-1-102-N according to a control signal received from digital controller 115. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is configured to amplify or attenuate one or more of the separate continuous wave laser light beams generated by the plurality of lasers 102-1-102-N according to a control signal received from digital controller 115. In some embodiments, remote optical power supply 101 includes both analog-to-digital converter 113 configured to convert a temperature acquired by temperature sensor 111 from an analog signal to a digital signal in route to digital controller 115, and digital-to-analog converter 117 configured to convert a digital signal output by digital controller 115 to an analog signal in route to optical power adjuster 107.

[0037] In an example embodiment, an optical data communication system includes a remote optical power supply 101 and an electro-optic chip 103. The remote optical power supply 101 is configured to generate and output a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. The remote optical power supply 101 is configured to apply optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams, where the optical power encoding conveys information about the remote optical power supply 101. The electro-optic chip 103 is optically connected to receive the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams with optical power encoding output by the remote optical power supply 101. The electro-optic chip 103 is configured to decode the optical power encoding to obtain information about the remote optical power supply 101 conveyed in the optical power encoding. The electro-optic chip 103 is configured to use the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams as a source light for generating a modulated optical signal.

[0038] In some embodiments, the optical power encoding conveys information regarding a real-time temperature of the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, the electro-optic chip 103 is configured to control one or more resonant wavelengths of the one or more ring resonators, respectively, using the real-time temperature of the remote optical power supply 101 obtained from the optical power encoding to facilitate in-coupling of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to the one or more ring resonators. In some embodiments, the remote optical power supply 101 comprises a plurality of lasers 102-1 to 102-N and one or more temperature sensors 111 that measure the real-time temperature of one or more of the plurality of lasers 102-1 to 102-N, respectively. In some embodiments, the remote optical power supply 101 comprises an optical power adjuster 107 configured to adjust the optical power of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to apply the optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. In some embodiments, optical power adjuster 107 is configured to adjust a bias current applied to one or more of the plurality of lasers 102-1 through 102-N, or to amplify the optical power of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams, or to attenuate the optical power of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. In some embodiments, electro-optic chip 103 comprises optical power adjuster 123 configured to undo optical power coding applied across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams such that the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams are beams of substantially uniform optical power prior to utilization as source light for generation of modulated optical signals for purposes of optical data communications.

[0039] FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a system for bidirectional data communication between a remote optical power supply 101 and an electro-optic chip 103, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, lasers 102-1 to 102-N in a laser array 102 in a WDM laser source (remote optical power supply 101) output continuous wave laser light. In the example of FIG. 2A, an optical conditioner 200 is integrated with the laser array 102. The optical conditioner 200 is configured to condition one or more of the beams of continuous wave laser light output by the N lasers 102-1 to 102-N to provide optical encoding across a set of N continuous wave laser light beams output by the N lasers 102-1 to 102-N. In some embodiments, for bidirectional data communication between the remote optical power supply 101 and the electro-optic chip 103, the optical conditioner 200 operates to apply either slow intensity or phase modulation to one of the channels of the laser array 102 in the optical power supply 101 for detection by a receiver at the electro-optic chip 103. For example, the temperature sensor 111 collects chip information (analog information), such as temperature data of the remote optical power supply 101 (e.g., each of the lasers 102-1 to 102-N), and converts the analog chip information to digital levels that are used to modulate the continuous wave laser light beam generated by laser 102-1 with a slow non-return to zero (NRZ) signal.

[0040] 2A comprises an optical distribution network 207 configured to receive N channels of light from a remote optical power supply 101 at N respective optical inputs of the optical distribution network 207. The optical distribution network 207 distributes N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 received at N input channels 201. N λ1 to λ2 received from the remote optical power supply 101 at the N input channels 201. NA portion of each of the light from the M output channels 211 of the optical distribution network 207 is transmitted on each of the M output channels 211 of the optical distribution network 207. The electro-optic chip 103 has one or more optical inputs optically connected to receive the light transmitted through a respective one of the M output channels 211 of the optical distribution network 207. For example, FIG. 2A shows an electro-optic chip 103 having M optical inputs optically connected to receive the light transmitted through a respective one of the M output channels 211 of the optical distribution network 207. The N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 output by the remote optical power supply 101 are N All are received at the optical inputs of each of the electro-optical chips 103. In some embodiments, the remote optical power supply 101 and optical distribution network 207 are used to service multiple electro-optical chips 103. In these embodiments, a subset of the M output channels 211 are optically connected to the optical inputs of each electro-optical chip 103.

[0041] In some embodiments, optical fibers are used to transmit light through the N channels from the remote optical power supply 101 to the optical distribution network 207. In some embodiments, the optical distribution network 207 is integrated into the remote optical power supply 101 such that optical waveguides integrated into the optical power supply 101 are used to transmit light from the laser array 102 to the optical distribution network 207. In some embodiments, optical fibers are used to transmit light from the optical distribution network 207 to the electro-optic chip 103 through the M output channels 211. In some embodiments, the optical distribution network 207 is integrated into the electro-optic chip 103 such that optical waveguides integrated into the electro-optic chip 103 are used to transmit light from the optical distribution network 207 to the photonic circuitry within the electro-optic chip 103.

[0042] In some embodiments, one of the N lasers 102-1 to 102-N is operated to provide a continuous wave laser optical signal of a particular wavelength for use by the electro-optic chip 103 in generating a modulated optical signal that is sent back from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101 to convey information. For example, in FIG. 2A , the continuous wave laser light generated by the laser 102-N is provided as a source light to a modulator 215 on the electro-optic chip 103. The modulator 215 is configured to modulate the source light of the continuous wave light to generate a modulated optical signal that conveys information from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101. A return channel 203 is established between the electro-optic chip 103 and the remote optical power supply 101 for conveying the modulated signal from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, the return channel 203 passes through an optical distribution network 207. In some embodiments, the return channel 203 is formed by a separate optical fiber connection between the electro-optic chip 103 and the remote optical power supply 101 .

[0043] In some embodiments, the laser array 102 includes a reverse-biased dummy laser 205 to function as a photodetector for detecting optical signals. The photodetector defined by the reverse-biased dummy laser 205 receives and detects the modulated optical signal transmitted from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101 through the return channel 203. In some embodiments, the remote optical power supply 101 includes an information processing unit 209 connected to receive the photocurrent generated by the photodetector of the reverse-biased dummy laser 205, as indicated by arrow 213. The information processing unit 209 is configured to demodulate the return signal received through the return channel 203 to obtain the transmitted information encoded therein. Also, in some embodiments, an optical isolator 209 is implemented in the remote optical power supply 101 to prevent the modulated optical signal transmitted from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101 through the return channel 203 from interfering with the operation of the lasers 102-1 to 102-N.

[0044] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a modulator 215 in the electro-optic chip 103 for modulating a continuous wave laser optical signal received from the remote optical power supply 101 to generate a return modulated optical signal transmitted through the return channel 203, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the electro-optic chip 103 comprises a plurality of input channels 220-1 to 220-P. In some embodiments, each of the input channels 220-1 to 220-P comprises an optical waveguide 222-1 to 222-P, respectively, through which light from the remote optical power supply 101 is transmitted. Each of the input channels 220-1 to 220-P comprises a set of N ring resonators 224-1 to 224-P. Each ring resonator in each set of N ring resonators 224-1 to 224-P has a resonant wavelength that is in correspondence with N different wavelengths λ1 to λ2 of the input light from the remote optical power supply 101. N In some embodiments, the optical fiber is tuned to one of the wavelengths λ xThe light of a given wavelength λ x When passing through a ring resonator tuned to x The light of a given wavelength λ x The laser is then incoupled to a ring resonator tuned to

[0045] In some embodiments, a set of N ring resonators 224-1 to 224-P in an input channel 220-P optically connected to the modulator 215 is controlled to allow input light of a particular wavelength to enter the modulator 215. In the example of FIG. 2B, input light of wavelength λN is allowed to enter the modulator 215. In some embodiments, the modulator 215 comprises a cross-arm optical waveguide configuration 221 including a first optical waveguide 231 in which the input continuous wave light is received and a second optical waveguide 233 extending along the first optical waveguide 231. The first optical waveguide 231 and the second optical waveguide 233 are formed close to each other to form a first adiabatic coupling region 227 between the first optical waveguide 231 and the second optical waveguide 233. The first adiabatic coupling region 227 couples a portion of the input light to the second optical waveguide 233, while the remaining portion of the input light continues through the first optical waveguide 231. After the first adiabatic coupling region 227, the first optical waveguide 231 and the second optical waveguide 233 extend apart from each other across a phase shift region 228. A phase shifter 225 is implemented along the first optical waveguide 231 and is configured to apply a controlled phase modulation to the optical signal passing through the first optical waveguide 231 within the phase shift region 228 to generate a modulated optical signal that continues to travel in the first optical waveguide 231. After the phase shift region 228, the first optical waveguide 231 and the second optical waveguide 233 approach each other again to form a second adiabatic coupling region 229. In the second adiabatic coupling region 229, the modulated optical signal transmitted from the phase shift region 228 through the first optical waveguide 231 is coupled to the second optical waveguide 233 such that the modulated optical signal is combined with an unmodulated portion of the original input optical signal that continued through the second optical waveguide 233 from the first adiabatic coupling region 228 to generate a return signal. In some embodiments, the modulator 215 comprises a ring resonator 223 tuned to the wavelength of the return signal light to provide optical transmission of the return signal from the second optical waveguide 233 to the return channel 203. In some embodiments, a portion of the return channel within the electro-optic chip 103 is formed as an optical waveguide and optically connected to an optical fiber at an output optical port of the electro-optic chip 103.

[0046] The modulated optical return signal carries information conveyed from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101. As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, the modulated optical return signal is transmitted from the electro-optic chip 103 to the remote optical power supply 101 using an additional optical fiber that is coupled to a photodetector in the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, the photodetector in the remote optical power supply 101 is a laser that is reverse biased to operate as a photodetector.

[0047] In some embodiments, the laser array 102 includes a plurality of (N>1) wavelength channels (e.g., N=8 or more), each wavelength channel corresponding to a respective one of the lasers 102-1 to 102-N. In some embodiments, the laser array 102 also includes at least one dummy laser channel (e.g., a channel of the dummy laser 205) for optical alignment. More specifically, the laser beam output by the channel of the dummy laser 205 is utilized for active optical alignment of the remote optical power supply 101 to an external optical device (such as to the optical distribution network 207 or other electro-optical or photonic device). In some embodiments, detection by photonics in the external device of the laser beam output by the channel of the dummy laser 205 indicates proper optical alignment of the remote optical power supply 101 with the external device. In some embodiments, the channel of the dummy laser 205 utilized for active optical alignment is also used as a photodetector channel by reverse biasing the dummy laser 205 to function as a photodetector. In this way, the channel of the dummy laser 205 for active optical alignment is converted into a photodetector channel to enable bidirectional data communication between the remote optical power supply 101 and the electro-optical chip 103.

[0048] In some embodiments, at the start of the system shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, N wavelengths λ1 to λ N2A and 2B is used when there is no requirement for a high speed design to save cost. The low speed NRZ optical signal or phase modulated optical signal contains / conveys temperature information or related chip information about the remote optical power supply 101 for transmission from the remote optical power supply 101 to the electro-optic chip 103. Another one of the lasers 102-1 to 102-N in the laser array 102 is modulated with a particular wavelength λ that is used by the modulator 215 in the electro-optic chip 103 to generate a modulated optical return signal. R When the electro-optic chip 103 has some return information to provide to the remote optical power supply 101, a modulator 215 in the electro-optic chip 103 operates in a continuous wave mode to generate and transmit a continuous wave laser optical signal of a particular wavelength λ to generate a modulated optical return signal that contains / carries the return information. R The electro-optic chip 103 operates to modulate a continuous wave laser optical signal received on a channel of the electro-optic chip 103. The modulated optical return signal is transmitted from the electro-optic chip 103 to a reverse biased dummy laser 205, which functions as a photodetector within the remote optical power supply 101. An optical isolator 209 within the remote optical power supply 101 effectively blocks the modulated optical return signal from entering any of the lasers 102-1 through 102-N of the laser array 102, such that the modulated optical return signal enters only the reverse biased dummy laser 205, which functions as a photodetector.

[0049] 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for data communication between a remote optical power supply 101 and an electro-optic chip 103, according to some embodiments. The method comprises step 301 for generating a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at an optical power supply 101 remote from the electro-optic chip 103. The method further comprises step 303 for adjusting an optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at the remote optical power supply 101 to provide optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. The method further comprises step 305 for communicating the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams having optical power encoding from the remote optical power supply 101 to the electro-optic chip 103. The method further comprises step 307 for detecting an optical power level of each of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at the electro-optic chip 103 to identify the optical power encoding. The method further comprises step 309 for determining information represented by the optical power encoding at the electro-optic chip 103.

[0050] In some embodiments, the multiple continuous wave laser light beams are generated in Step 301 by a respective one of the multiple lasers 102-1-102-N. In some embodiments, adjusting the optical power level of one or more of the multiple continuous wave laser light beams in Step 303 is done by adjusting a bias current applied to a respective one of the multiple lasers 102-1-102-N. In some embodiments, adjusting the optical power level of one or more of the multiple continuous wave laser light beams in Step 303 is done by amplifying the optical power level of one or more of the multiple continuous wave laser light beams. In some embodiments, adjusting the optical power level of one or more of the multiple continuous wave laser light beams in Step 303 is done by attenuating the optical power level of one or more of the multiple continuous wave laser light beams.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method comprises measuring a temperature associated with operation of the remote optical power supply 101, where the temperature is represented by the optical power encoding. In some embodiments, the method comprises adjusting a resonance wavelength of a ring resonator with the electro-optic chip 103 based on a temperature associated with operation of the remote optical power supply 101 represented by the optical power encoding, where the resonance wavelength affects the incoupling of one of the multiple continuous wave laser light beams into the ring resonator. In some embodiments, the method comprises undoing optical power encoding applied across the multiple continuous wave laser light beams prior to using the multiple continuous wave laser light beams as source light for generating a modulated optical signal for optical data communication, where the undoing of the optical power encoding is done by the electro-optic chip 103.

[0052] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for data communication between a remote optical power supply 101 and an electro-optic chip 103, according to some embodiments. The method comprises a step 401 for generating a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at the remote optical power supply 101 remote from the electro-optic chip 103. At least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is generated distinct from other beams of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to provide information about the remote optical power supply 101. The method further comprises a step 403 for communicating the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to the electro-optic chip 103. The method further comprises a step 405 for detecting at least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams distinct from other beams of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to determine information provided about the remote optical power supply 101.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is generated as a slow non-return to zero (NRZ) signal distinct from the other beams of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams. The slow NRZ signal provides information about the remote optical power supply 101. In some embodiments, the method comprises controlling operation of a plurality of ring resonators on the electro-optic chip 103 using information provided about the remote optical power supply 101 to facilitate in-coupling of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams into respective corresponding ring resonators of the plurality of ring resonators. In some embodiments, information about the temperature of the remote optical power supply 101 is provided by a distinctly generated one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams in step 401.

[0054] It should be appreciated that the various methods disclosed herein can be used to communicate real-time temperature information about the laser array 102 (and even the individual lasers 102-1-102-N within the laser array 102) from the remote optical power supply 101 to the electro-optic chip 103 in real time, allowing the laser array 102 to operate under various temperature conditions. The electro-optic chip 103 can adjust the resonant wavelengths of the ring resonators in the various receiver channels of the electro-optic chip 103 as needed to accommodate drift in the wavelength of the input laser beam due to temperature changes of the corresponding lasers 102-1-102-N within the laser array 102 of the remote optical power supply 101. Thus, in some embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein for communicating real-time temperature information from the remote optical power supply 101 to the electro-optic chip 103 provide for operation of the laser array 102 in an uncooled manner (e.g., with an uncooled WDM optical link). In these embodiments, not having to provide active cooling of the lasers 102-1-102-N in the laser array 102 allows the remote optical power supply 101 to be implemented in a less complicated manner, with corresponding savings in cost and energy consumption. Additionally, even if the lasers 102-1-102-N in the laser array 102 are actively cooled, the real-time communication of temperature information between the remote optical power supply 101 and the electro-optic chip 103 improves tracking and compensation of drift in the wavelengths of the lasers 102-1-102-N by the electro-optic chip 103. Additionally, while the various embodiments disclosed herein have focused on the communication of temperature data between the remote optical power supply 101 and the electro-optic chip 103, it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein may be utilized to communicate essentially any type of data from the remote optical power supply 101 to the electro-optic chip 103, and vice versa.

[0055] The above description of the embodiments is for illustrative and descriptive purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment and, where applicable, can be substituted and utilized in selected embodiments unless otherwise shown or described. Thus, one or more features from one or more embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with one or more features from one or more other embodiments disclosed herein to form another embodiment that is not explicitly disclosed herein but is implicitly disclosed herein. This other embodiment may also be modified in many ways. Such variations of the embodiments are not considered departures from the present disclosure, and all such variations and modifications of the embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure provided herein.

[0056] Although some method steps may be described in a particular order herein, it should be understood that other housekeeping steps may be performed between method steps, and / or method steps may be coordinated to be performed at slightly different times or simultaneously, or distributed into a system that permits process steps to be performed at various intervals related to the process, so long as the processing of the method steps is performed in a manner such that the method is successfully performed.

[0057] Although the present embodiments have been described in some detail for ease of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, and therefore should not be limited to only the details set forth herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An optical power supply apparatus comprising: a laser array including a plurality of lasers, each of the plurality of lasers configured to generate a separate continuous wave laser light beam; a temperature sensor configured to obtain a temperature associated with the laser array; and a digital controller configured to receive a notification of the temperature from the temperature sensor; an optical power adjuster controlled by the digital controller configured to adjust an optical power level of one or more continuous wave laser light beams generated by the plurality of lasers to generate an optical power encoding that conveys information about the temperature associated with the laser array acquired by the temperature sensor; and An optical power supply device comprising:

2. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1 , wherein the temperatures associated with the laser array include a temperature of each of the plurality of lasers, and the optical power encoding conveys information regarding the temperature of each of the plurality of lasers.

3. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1 , wherein the temperature associated with the laser array is obtained in real time, and the digital controller is configured to direct operation of the optical power adjusters to generate the optical power encoding in real time.

4. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1 , wherein the optical power regulator is configured to adjust one or more bias currents supplied to one or more of the plurality of lasers, respectively, in accordance with a control signal received from the digital controller.

5. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1 , wherein the optical power regulator is configured to amplify one or more of the separate continuous wave laser light beams produced by the plurality of lasers according to control signals received from the digital controller.

6. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1 , wherein the optical power regulator is configured to attenuate one or more of the separate beams of continuous wave laser light produced by the multiple lasers according to control signals received from the digital controller.

7. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1 , wherein the optical power regulator is configured to amplify or attenuate one or more of the separate continuous wave laser light beams produced by the multiple lasers according to control signals received from the digital controller.

8. 2. The optical power supply of claim 1, further comprising: an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor from an analog signal to a digital signal in route to the digital controller; a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital signal output by the digital controller to an analog signal in route to the optical power regulator; An optical power supply device comprising:

9. 1. An optical data communication system, comprising: an optical power supply configured to generate and output a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams, the optical power encoding being configured to provide optical power coding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams, the optical power coding conveying information about the optical power supply; an electro-optical chip optically connected to receive the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams having the optical power encoding output by the optical power supply, the electro-optical chip configured to decode the optical power encoding to obtain the information about the optical power supply conveyed in the optical power encoding, and configured to use the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams as source light for generating a modulated optical signal; and A system comprising:

10. 10. The optical data communication system of claim 9, wherein the optical power encoding conveys information regarding a real-time temperature of the optical power supply, and the electro-optical chip is configured to use the real-time temperature of the optical power supply obtained from the optical power encoding to control one or more resonant wavelengths of the one or more ring resonators, respectively, to facilitate in-coupling of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams into one or more ring resonators.

11. 11. The optical data communications system of claim 10, wherein the optical power supply comprises a plurality of lasers, the optical power supply comprising one or more temperature sensors that respectively measure real-time temperatures of one or more of the plurality of lasers.

12. 12. The optical data communications system of claim 11 , wherein the optical power supply comprises an optical power adjuster configured to adjust the optical power of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to provide the optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams.

13. 13. The optical data communications system of claim 12, wherein the optical power regulator is configured to adjust a bias current applied to one or more of the plurality of lasers, or to amplify the optical power of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams, or to attenuate the optical power of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams.

14. 10. The optical data communications system of claim 9, wherein the electro-optic chip comprises an optical power conditioner configured to undo the optical power coding applied across the multiple continuous wave laser light beams so that the multiple continuous wave laser light beams become beams of substantially uniform optical power prior to utilization as source light for generating a modulated optical signal.

15. 1. A method for data communication between an optical power supply and an electro-optic chip, comprising: generating a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams with an optical power supply separate from the electro-optic chip; adjusting an optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams in the optical power supply device to provide optical power encoding across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams; transmitting the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams having the optical power encoding from the optical power supply to the electro-optic chip; detecting an optical power level of each of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at the electro-optic chip to identify the optical power encoding; determining information represented by the optical power encoding in the electro-optical chip; A method comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams are generated by respective lasers of a plurality of lasers, and adjusting the optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is performed by adjusting a bias current applied to each respective laser of the plurality of lasers.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is performed by amplifying an optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams.

18. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is performed by attenuating an optical power level of one or more of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams.

19. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: A method comprising: measuring a temperature associated with operation of the optical power supply, the temperature being represented by the optical power encoding.

20. 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: adjusting a resonant wavelength of a ring resonator at the electro-optic chip based on the temperature associated with operation of the optical power supply as represented by the optical power encoding, the resonant wavelength affecting incoupling of one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams into the ring resonator.

21. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

13. A method comprising: undoing the optical power encoding applied across the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams prior to using the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams as source light for generating a modulated optical signal, the undoing of the optical power encoding being performed by the electro-optical chip.

22. 1. A method for data communication between an optical power supply and an electro-optic chip, comprising: generating a plurality of continuous wave laser light beams at an optical power supply remote from the electro-optic chip, at least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams being generated differently from other beams of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to provide information about the optical power supply; conveying the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to the electro-optic chip; detecting said at least one of said plurality of continuous wave laser light beams different from other beams of said plurality of continuous wave laser light beams to determine said information provided about said optical power supply; A method comprising:

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams is generated as a slow non-return to zero signal distinct from other ones of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams, the slow non-return to zero signal providing information about the optical power supply.

24. 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: controlling operation of a plurality of ring resonators on the electro-optic chip using the information provided regarding the optical power supply to facilitate incoupling of the plurality of continuous wave laser light beams into respective ones of the plurality of ring resonators.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the information provided about the optical power supply is temperature information.

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