Patent ID: 7746909

Claim:
An integrated electro-absorption modulated laser system, comprising: a laser section; an electro-absorption modulator section integrated with the laser section; a laser driver that drives the laser section; a modulator driver that drives the electro-absorption modulator section; and a splitter connected to the laser driver and the modulator driver, wherein the splitter receives an information signal defining an on/off modulated signal and provides the same information signal to each of the laser driver and the laser and the modulator driver and the modulator thereby simultaneously modulating the laser and the modulator with the on/off modulated signal; wherein the laser driver is operable for receiving the information signal and generating a laser driver signal that is transmitted to the laser section and the modulator driver is operable for receiving the same information signal and generating a modulator driver signal that is transmitted to the electro-absorption modulator section; wherein the laser driver and the modulator driver are separate and distinct components; and wherein the information signal that is provided to both the laser driver and the modulator driver reduces optical power of the laser section during a zero level of the information signal thereby correcting an absorption deficiency of the electro-absorption modulator section.