Patent ID: 8666260

Claim:
A burst mode laser transmitter, comprising: a burst mode laser diode; an input for receiving high frequency signals having downstream information and low frequency signals having upstream information; a coupler for splitting a low frequency radio frequency (RF) data signal into a first RF data signal and a second RF data signal; triggering circuitry for switching the burst mode laser diode on or off depending on whether the low frequency RF data signal is present at the input by: detecting whether the first RF data signal is present; biasing the laser diode to an on-state bias level when the first RF data signal is received by producing a control voltage that is proportional to a logarithm of an input power of the first RF data signal and outputting a differential signal to activate the laser diode when the control voltage exceeds a threshold voltage; biasing the laser diode to an off-state bias level when no RF data signal is present at the input, modulation circuitry for modulating the laser diode when the second RF data signal is received by: amplifying, via an RF power amplifier, the second RF data signal before it modulates the on-state bias level of the laser diode, wherein the RF power amplifier only turns on for a finite duration of time in response to a detected presence of the second RF data signal, modulating the on-state bias level at which the laser diode is biased with the second RF data signal.