The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 22, 1996
Georges Grandpierre, Guibeville, FR;
Eric Brandon, Bourg la Reine, FR;
Alcatel Submarine Networks, Clichy, FR;
Abstract
The invention provides a circuit for amplitude modulating an optical signal with an N-state electrical signal where N is greater than or equal to 2, the circuit comprising a modulator having a first input for receiving the optical signal to be modulated and a second input for receiving a modulating electrical signal. According to the invention, the circuit comprises, upstream from the second input, shaping component having an input receiving the N-state electrical signal and having an output that switches from one of the N states to another of the N states in response to the N-state electrical signal taking up a level that is greater than a predetermined threshold, and switching from the other state to the one of the N states in response to the N-state electrical signal taking up a level that is less than the predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold being associated with the pair of states, and having a level that lies between and is different from the respective levels taken by the two states.