Patent ID: 8797198

Claim:
A device for converting digital data into modulation of an optical signal, the device comprising: (a) an electronic input configured to receive an input data word of N bits; (b) an electrically controllable semiconductor light generating device or a controllable optical modulator capable of modulating the intensity of an optical signal, said light generating device or modulator including M actuating electrodes where M≧N; and (c) an electrode actuating device associated with said electronic input and said modulator, said electrode actuating device being responsive to the input data word to supply an actuating voltage to said actuating electrodes, wherein said modulator has a response such that application of an actuating voltage to actuating electrodes in one-to-one relation to bits of said input data word generates modulation of the optical signal according to a first function of the input data word, and wherein said electrode actuating device is configured to actuate said actuating electrodes so as to generate an improved approximation to modulation of the optical signal as a second function of the input data word, said second function being different from said first function.