An electro-absorption modulator (EAM) array comprising a plurality of EAM pixels arranged on a substrate , said EAM array comprising: a plurality of drive circuits integrated with said plurality of EAM pixels in a monolithic arrangement on said substrate , each drive circuit comprising: a plurality of switches connected in series, a first power supply rail and a second power supply rail, wherein said plurality of switches are connected in between said first power supply rail and said second power supply rail such that a current path is formed from said first power supply rail to said second power supply rail when each one of said switches in said plurality of switches is closed; wherein said plurality of switches comprises a first switch (T1) and a second switch (T2) which both are n-channel switches; and said first switch is connected in parallel with at least one EAM pixel of said plurality of EAM pixels , said at least one EAM pixel being configured to generate a current output in response to a photonic irradiation; a current sensing circuit connected to said first switch and said at least one EAM pixel and being configured to detect said current output from said at least one EAM pixel ; and wherein said drive circuit is configured to be set in at least three modes: a first mode, wherein said first switch is closed and said second switch is opened in order to discharge said at least one EAM pixel ; a second mode, wherein said first switch is opened and said second switch is closed in order to charge said at least one EAM pixel ; a third mode, wherein said first switch is opened and said second switch is opened in order to detect said current output from said at least one EAM pixel by means of said current sensing circuit. a plurality of drive circuits integrated with said plurality of EAM pixels in a monolithic arrangement on said substrate , each drive circuit comprising: a plurality of switches connected in series, a first power supply rail and a second power supply rail, wherein said plurality of switches are connected in between said first power supply rail and said second power supply rail such that a current path is formed from said first power supply rail to said second power supply rail when each one of said switches in said plurality of switches is closed; wherein said plurality of switches comprises a first switch (T1) and a second switch (T2) which both are n-channel switches; and said first switch is connected in parallel with at least one EAM pixel of said plurality of EAM pixels , said at least one EAM pixel being configured to generate a current output in response to a photonic irradiation; a current sensing circuit connected to said first switch and said at least one EAM pixel and being configured to detect said current output from said at least one EAM pixel ; and wherein said drive circuit is configured to be set in at least three modes: a first mode, wherein said first switch is closed and said second switch is opened in order to discharge said at least one EAM pixel ; a second mode, wherein said first switch is opened and said second switch is closed in order to charge said at least one EAM pixel ; a third mode, wherein said first switch is opened and said second switch is opened in order to detect said current output from said at least one EAM pixel by means of said current sensing circuit. a first mode, wherein said first switch is closed and said second switch is opened in order to discharge said at least one EAM pixel ; a second mode, wherein said first switch is opened and said second switch is closed in order to charge said at least one EAM pixel ; a third mode, wherein said first switch is opened and said second switch is opened in order to detect said current output from said at least one EAM pixel by means of said current sensing circuit. <EOS>