Method and circuit for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronic devices

1. A method for processing signals, the method comprising:

generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal utilizing an optical modulator driven by two or more of a plurality of electrical input signals, wherein:

said optical modulator comprises a plurality of optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into a plurality of groups;

a number of said optical modular elements and a number of said plurality of groups configure a number of levels in said multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal;

unit drivers are coupled to each of said plurality of groups of said optical modulator elements; and

said plurality of electrical input signals are synchronized utilizing flip-flops before being communicated to said unit drivers.

2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising selecting two or more of said plurality of electrical input signals utilizing one or more multiplexers.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said one or more multiplexers selects an electrical input or a complement of said electrical input.

4. The method according to claim 1 , comprising synchronizing phase addition in said plurality of optical modulator elements utilizing one or more electrical delay lines.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said optical modulator is integrated on a single substrate.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein said single substrate comprise one of: silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, or polymer-based materials.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said optical modulator comprises one or more ring modulators.

9. A system for processing signals, the system comprising:

an optical modulator comprising one or more optical and one or more electrical components, said optical modulator being operable to generate a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal, wherein:

said optical modulator is driven by two or more of a plurality of electrical input signals;

said optical modulator comprises a plurality of optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into a plurality of groups;

a number of said optical modular elements and a number of said plurality of groups configure a number of levels in said multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal; and

said optical modulator is operable to:

couple unit drivers to each of said plurality of groups of said optical modulator elements; and

synchronize said plurality of electrical input signals utilizing flip-flops before communicating said signals to said unit drivers.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said optical modulator is operable to select two or more of said plurality of electrical input signals utilizing one or more multiplexers.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein said one or more multiplexers selects an electrical input or a complement of said electrical input.

12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said optical modulator is operable to synchronize phase addition in said plurality of optical modulator elements utilizing one or more electrical delay lines.

13. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said optical modulator is integrated on a single substrate.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said single substrate comprise one of: silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, or polymer-based materials.

15. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said optical modulator comprises a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

16. The system according to claim 9 , wherein said optical modulator comprises one or more ring modulators.

17. A method for processing signals, the method comprising:

generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal utilizing an optical modulator driven by two or more of a plurality of electrical input signals, wherein:

said optical modulator comprises a plurality of optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into a plurality of groups; and

a number of said optical modular elements and a number of said plurality of groups configure a number of levels in said multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal; and

two or more of said plurality of electrical input signals are selected utilizing one or more multiplexers.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein said one or more multiplexers selects an electrical input or a complement of said electrical input.

19. A system for processing signals, the system comprising:

an optical modulator comprising one or more optical and one or more electrical components, said optical modulator being operable to generate a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal, wherein:

said optical modulator is driven by two or more of a plurality of electrical input signals;

said optical modulator comprises a plurality of optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into a plurality of groups;

a number of said optical modular elements and a number of said plurality of groups configure a number of levels in said multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal; and

said optical modulator is operable to select two or more of said plurality of electrical input signals utilizing one or more multiplexers.

20. The system according to claim 19 , wherein said one or more multiplexers selects an electrical input or a complement of said electrical input.