Patent ID: 7015724

Claim:
A processing device ( 1 ) for processing an input optical data signal (E) modulated with a return-to-zero (RZ) type modulation format, the device comprising an electronic component ( 2 ) having a tunnel diode characteristic presenting a peak current (I P )and a valley current (I V ), said device ( 1 ) being characterized in that it further comprises: a controlled current source ( 3 , 4 , 9 ) suitable for injecting into said electronic component ( 2 ) an electric current that is a function of a control signal (V RESET ), said current being capable of taking a first current value or a second current value (I R ); and current generator means ( 2 , 30 ) suitable for injecting into said electronic component ( 2 ) an additional electric current (I RZ ) generated in response to said input data signal (E), said valley current (I V ) having a value that is greater than said first current value and said peak current (I P ) having a value that lies between said second current value (I R ) and the sum of said second current value (I R ) plus the value of said additional current (I RZ ) generated by said generator means ( 2 ).