Patent ID: 6067180
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method of processing an optical signal having an intensity which is time varying in amplitude to define an optical signal waveform, the method comprising the steps of:forming a plurality of optical tap signals from the optical signal such that the tap signals define respective tap signal waveforms representative of the optical signal waveform subjected to different respective delay periods;inputting the tap signals as controlling signals to a modulating means such that the amplitude range of the controlling signals is sufficiently small for the modulation response of the modulating means to be approximately linear;inputting an optical input signal to the modulating means to be modulated thereby;and controlling the modulating mans in response to the input of the tap signals such that the modulating means provides modulation of the input signal to provide an optical output signal defining an output waveform modulated in dependence upon a substantially linear combination of the amplitudes of the tap signal waveforms.