Patent ID: 6956989

Claim:
A method of generating optical data encoded in a first format, said method comprising: generating said optical data encoded in a second format, wherein said generating includes: generating a first optical data encoded in said first format, said first optical data having a first level of jitter; and optically retiming said first optical data to reduce jitter associated with said first optical data such that said first optical data is converted to a second optical data encoded in said second format, wherein said second optical data has a second level of jitter, and wherein said second optical data represents said optical data encoded in said second format; inputting, into an optical pulse stretcher, said optical data encoded in said second format; using said optical pulse stretcher to convert said optical data encoded in said second format to said optical data encoded in said first format; and outputting from said optical pulse stretcher said optical data encoded in said first format, wherein said optical data encoded in said first format has a third level of jitter.