Patent ID: 7706692

Claim:
A digital source device comprising: a source controller configured to generate control and digital video signals; a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) transmitter coupled to the source controller for receiving control and digital video signals from the source controller and for converting the control and digital video signals into electric TMDS signals; an interface configured to receive a first end of an optical fiber; and an optical transmitter for receiving the electronic TMDS signals, converting the electric TMDS signals into at least one optical signal, and for transmitting the at least one optical signal to the first end of the optical fiber, wherein the TMDS transmitter and optical transmitter are disposed in the digital source device along with the source controller and interface, wherein the digital source device is configured for bidirectional optical communication to both transmit the at least one optical signal to the first end of the optical fiber and also configured to receive at least one optical signal from the first end of the optical fiber, wherein the optical transmitter comprises means for transmitting and receiving optical signals, wherein the transmitting and receiving means comprises an optoelectronic device comprising: a laser diode comprising a first PN junction with a first p layer and a first n layer, the laser diode including an active region configured to generate light; a first tunnel junction coupled monolithically to the laser diode, the tunnel junction comprising a heavily doped n+ layer and a heavily doped p+ layer; and a first photodiode coupled monolithically to the first tunnel junction, the first tunnel junction comprising a second PN junction.