Patent ID: 7483597

Claim:
An optical modulator for creating a multi-level data signaling output, the modulator comprising an input waveguiding section for receiving a continuous wave (CW) optical input signal; an input optical splitter, coupled to the output of the input waveguiding section for dividing the CW optical input signal into a pair of CW optical input signals; a pair of optical waveguides coupled to the outputs of the input optical splitter, the pair of optical waveguides forming a pair of modulator arms for supporting the propagation of the optical signal, at least one modulator arm partitioned into a plurality of N modulator sections, each section being of a predetermined length such that the combination of the lengths of the plurality of N modulator sections equal to providing a complete π phase shift to the continuous wave optical input signal propagating therealong; a plurality of N digital drivers, each driver coupled to a separate modulator section of the plurality of N modulator sections, the combination of digital inputs to the plurality of N digital drivers determined in association with the multi-level output data signal to be delivered by the modulator, the “on” or “off” state of each modulator section contributing to the phase shift between the input and output signals; an output optical combiner for combining the pair of modulated optical signals into a modulated optical output signal; and an output waveguiding section coupled to the output of the output optical combiner for supporting the propagation of the modulated optical output signal.