Patent ID: 7224900

Claim:
Optical time multiplexer for generating an N Gbits/s output signal from n data modulated input pulse streams with a pulse frequency of N/GHz, where nεIN and n≧2, with a combiner device for passively interleaving the n input pulse streams, wherein at least n−1 first phase shifting elements are provided tuning optical phases of at least n−1 input pulse streams and being connected to a controller device, which derives at least n−1 control signals from a comparison of the optical phases of the n input pulse streams and controls the at least n−1 first phase shifting elements such that the optical phases of all n input pulse streams are locked with respect to each other, that a reference coupler for the comparison of the optical phases of the n input pulse streams is provided converting the phase variations between the optical phases of the n input pulse streams into signal amplitude variations which are fed as an input to the controller device, and that reference lines are provided tapping parts of the n input pulse streams and feeding these parts of the n input pulse streams into the reference coupler.