Patent ID: 7042629
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. A linear optical signal sampler apparatus for measuring temporal samples of a modulated optical signal (MOS), the linear optical signal sampler apparatus comprising a pulsed optical signal (POS) having energy in the same polarization as the MOS and operable at a pulse rate equal to a fraction of the modulation rate of the MOS; a hybrid having a first input for receiving the MOS and a second input for receiving the POS, the hybrid combining the MOS and POS to produce temporal quadrature samples S a balanced photodetector apparatus (BDA,BDB) coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth outputs for detecting and generating analog electrical signal representations of the S a sampling analog to digital (A/D) converter apparatus for sampling and generating digital representations of S a processor for compensating for optical and electrical signal handling imperfections in the hybrid, balanced detectors, and A/D converters and for measuring temporal signal samples by generating a demodulated sampled data pulse from the quadratures samples S