Multi-data-rate optical transceiver

Abstract

An optical transceiver module includes an optical-to-electrical converter configured to convert a first optical signal to a first electric signal, a first amplifier configured to amplify the first electric signal, a bandwidth controller coupled to the first amplifier, configured to control the frequency response characteristics of the amplification of the first amplifier to produce a first amplified electric signal, a driver circuit configured to receive a second electric signal and to produce a second amplified electric signal in response to the second electric signal and an optical feedback signal, an electrical-to-optical converter coupled to the micro-controller and configured to convert the second amplified electrical signal to a second optical signal, and a photo diode configured to detect the second optical signal and to produce the optical feedback signal to be received by the driver circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical transceiver that receives and transmits signals of various data rates and power levels, comprising:
 an electrical interface comprising an electrical input port that receives an input electrical signal, a first user command input port that receives a first user command signal, an electrical output port that outputs an electrical output signal and a second user command input port that receives a second user command signal; 
 an optical interface comprising an optical input port that receives an input optical signal based on which the electrical output signal is generated at the electrical interface, and an optical output port that outputs an optical output signal based on the electrical input signal received at the electrical interface; 
 a driver circuit coupled to the electrical input port to receive the electrical input signal and responsive to a control of the first user command signal in converting the electrical input signal into a driver signal at a data rate that is based on and varies with the first user command signal, the driver circuit coupled to receive a power feedback control signal and controlling a power level of the driver signal based on the received power feedback control signal; 
 an electrical to optical converter coupled to the driver circuit to convert the driver signal into the optical output signal carrying data of the driver signal at the data rate; 
 a monitoring photo diode that detects light of the optical output signal to generate the power feedback control signal to the driver circuit; 
 an optical to electrical converter coupled to the optical input port and converting the input optical signal into a first electrical signal; 
 an amplifier coupled to the optical to electrical converter to receive and amplify the first electrical signal to generate the output electrical signal, the amplifier receiving a bandwidth control signal and adjusting a bandwidth of the amplifier in generating the output electrical signal in response to the bandwidth control signal; and 
 a bandwidth controller coupled to receive the second user command signal and producing the bandwidth control signal based on the second user command signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical transceiver as in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical interface comprises a Physical Media Attachment block (PMA) coupled to the amplifier and the driver circuit, configured to receive the output from the amplifier and to transmit the input electrical signal to the driver circuit. 
     
     
       3. The optical transceiver as in  claim 2 , wherein the electrical interface comprises a Physical Coding Sublayer block (PCS) coupled to the Physical Media Attachment block (PMA), configured to receive output from the Physical Media Attachment block and transmits the input electrical signal to the Physical Media Attachment block. 
     
     
       4. An optical transceiver that receives and transmits signals of various data rates and power levels, comprising:
 an electrical interface comprising an electrical input port that receives an input electrical signal, and an electrical output port that outputs an electrical output signal; 
 an optical interface comprising an optical input port that receives an input optical signal based on which the electrical output signal is generated at the electrical interface, and an optical output port that outputs an optical output signal based on the electrical input signal received at the electrical interface; 
 a driver circuit coupled to the electrical input port to receive the electrical input signal and responsive to a transmitter data control signal in converting the electrical input signal into a driver signal at a data rate that is based on and varies with the transmitter data control signal, the driver circuit coupled to receive a power feedback control signal and controlling a power level of the driver signal based on the received power feedback control signal; 
 a transmitter data rate detector coupled to detect a data rate of the input electrical signal and producing the transmitter data control signal; 
 an electrical to optical converter coupled to the driver circuit to convert the driver signal into the optical output signal carrying data of the driver signal at the data rate; 
 a monitoring photo diode that detects light of the optical output signal to generate the power feedback control signal to the driver circuit; 
 an optical to electrical converter coupled to the optical input port and converting the input optical signal into a first electrical signal; 
 an amplifier coupled to the optical to electrical converter to receive and amplify the first electrical signal to generate the output electrical signal, the amplifier receiving a bandwidth control signal and adjusting a bandwidth of the amplifier in generating the output electrical signal in response to the bandwidth control signal; 
 a receiver data rate detector coupled to detect a data rate of the first electrical signal output by the optical to electrical converter and producing the receiver data control signal based on the detected data rate; and 
 a bandwidth controller coupled to receive the receiver data control signal and producing the bandwidth control signal based on the receiver data control signal. 
 
     
     
       5. The optical transceiver as in  claim 4 , wherein the electrical interface comprises a Physical Media Attachment block (PMA) coupled to the amplifier and the driver circuit, configured to receive the output from the amplifier and to transmit the input electrical signal to the driver circuit. 
     
     
       6. The optical transceiver as in  claim 5 , wherein the electrical interface comprises a Physical Coding Sublayer block (PCS) coupled to the Physical Media Attachment block (PMA), configured to receive output from the Physical Media Attachment block and transmits the input electrical signal to the Physical Media Attachment block. 
     
     
       7. An optical transceiver, comprising:
 an electrical interface that receives an input electrical signal and that outputs an electrical output signal;   an optical interface that receives an input optical signal on which the electrical output signal is based and that outputs an optical output signal based on the electrical input signal;   a driver circuit that converts the electrical input signal into a driver signal, the driver circuit generating the driver signal at a power that is based on a feedback control signal;   an electrical to optical converter coupled to the driver circuit to convert the driver signal into the optical output signal, the optical output signal carrying data of the driver signal at a first data rate, the electrical to optical converter outputting the optical output signal at a variable output power controlled by a receiver data control signal;   a photo diode that monitors the optical output signal and generates the feedback control signal;   an optical to electrical converter that converts the input optical signal into a first electrical signal;   an amplifier coupled to the optical to electrical converter to amplify the first electrical signal and generate the output electrical signal, the amplifier having a modifiable bandwidth that is controlled by the receiver data control signal.   
     
     
       8. The optical transceiver as in claim 7, further comprising a receiver data rate detector coupled to detect a data rate of the first electrical signal, the receiver data rate detector producing the receiver data control signal based on the detected data rate of the first electrical signal. 
     
     
       9. The optical transceiver as in claim 7, wherein the receiver data control signal is controlled by software. 
     
     
       10. The optical transceiver as in claim 7, wherein the optical interface determines an operation mode for the optical transceiver through hand-shaking. 
     
     
       11. The optical transceiver as in claim 10, wherein the operation mode sets the first data rate and a data rate of the input optical signal through remote provisioning by a link party. 
     
     
       12. The optical transceiver as in claim 8, wherein the amplifier comprises (i) a transimpedance amplifier receiving the first electrical signal and providing an amplified electrical signal, and (ii) a limiting amplifier receiving the amplified electrical signal and providing the output electrical signal. 
     
     
       13. The optical transceiver as in claim 12, wherein the receiver data rate detector controls a bandwidth of the transimpedance amplifier, a difference in the bandwidth of the transimpedance amplifier results in a difference in sensitivity of the input optical signal, and the sensitivity of the input optical signal is modified to fit a data rate of the input optical signal. 
     
     
       14. The optical transceiver as in claim 8, wherein the receiver data rate detector is configured to control frequency response characteristics of the amplifier. 
     
     
       15. An optical transceiver, comprising:
 an electrical interface that receives an input electrical signal and that outputs an electrical output signal;   an optical interface that receives an input optical signal on which the electrical output signal is based and that outputs an optical output signal based on the electrical input signal;   a driver circuit receiving the electrical input signal or a variation thereof, and producing a driver signal at a data rate that is based on and that varies with a transmitter data control signal, the driver circuit receiving a feedback control signal controlling a power of the driver signal;   an electrical to optical converter coupled to the driver circuit to convert the driver signal into the optical output signal, the electrical to optical converter outputting the optical output signal at a variable output power that is based on and that varies with the transmitter data control signal;   a photo diode that monitors the optical output signal and generates the feedback control signal;   an optical to electrical converter that converts the input optical signal into a first electrical signal;   an amplifier coupled to the optical to electrical converter, to receive and amplify the first electrical signal and generate the output electrical signal, the amplifier having a modifiable bandwidth that is controlled by a bandwidth control signal; and   a bandwidth controller coupled to receive the transmitter data control signal, the bandwidth controller producing the bandwidth control signal.   
     
     
       16. The optical transceiver as in claim 15, wherein the photo diode (i) monitors an intensity, power or strength of a monitoring optical signal from the electrical to optical converter and (ii) produces the feedback control signal in accordance with or based on the intensity or strength of the monitoring optical signal. 
     
     
       17. The optical transceiver as in claim 15, wherein the driver circuit produces a bias voltage and a driving current for the electrical to optical converter, and the feedback control signal is configured to modify or adjust the bias voltage and/or the driving current of the driver circuit to control the output power of the optical output signal. 
     
     
       18. The optical transceiver as in claim 17, wherein the output power of the optical output signal is regulated by an EEPROM having values set by the feedback control signal. 
     
     
       19. The optical transceiver as in claim 17, further comprising a micro-controller that controls the bias voltage and the driver current of the driver circuit. 
     
     
       20. The optical transceiver as in claim 19, wherein the electrical interface further comprises a user command input that receives a user command signal, and the micro-controller receives the user command signal. 
     
     
       21. The optical transceiver as in claim 19, wherein the micro-controller includes a memory to store software instructions. 
     
     
       22. The optical transceiver as in claim 19, further comprising a transmitter data rate detector coupled to detect a data rate of the electrical input signal and producing the transmitter data control signal based on the detected data rate of the first electrical signal. 
     
     
       23. The optical transceiver as in claim 15, wherein the transmitter data control signal is controlled by software. 
     
     
       24. An optical transceiver, comprising:
 an electrical interface that receives an input electrical signal and that outputs an electrical output signal;   an optical interface that receives an input optical signal on which the electrical output signal is based and that outputs an optical output signal based on the electrical input signal;   a driver circuit receiving the electrical input signal or a variation thereof, and producing a driver signal at a data rate that is based on and that varies with a transmitter data control signal, the driver circuit receiving a feedback control signal controlling a power of the driver signal;   an electrical to optical converter coupled to the driver circuit to convert the driver signal into the optical output signal, the electrical to optical converter outputting the optical output signal at a variable output power that is based on and that varies with the transmitter data control signal;   a photo diode that monitors the optical output signal and that generates the feedback control signal;   an optical to electrical converter that converts the input optical signal into a first electrical signal;   an amplifier coupled to the optical to electrical converter to amplify the first electrical signal and generate the output electrical signal, the amplifier having a modifiable bandwidth that is controlled by a bandwidth control signal; and   a bandwidth controller coupled to receive a receiver data control signal, the bandwidth controller producing the bandwidth control signal.   
     
     
       25. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, wherein a change in data rate of the input optical signal changes the bandwidth of the amplifier, and a change in the transmitter data control signal changes a data rate and power of the optical output signal. 
     
     
       26. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, wherein the electrical interface further comprises a user command input that receives a user command signal. 
     
     
       27. The optical transceiver as in claim 26, wherein the user command signal consists of a single control signal that sets data transmission and data reception at a same rate. 
     
     
       28. The optical transceiver as in claim 26, wherein the user command signal comprises first and second control lines that allow different data rates for data transmission and data reception. 
     
     
       29. The optical transceiver as in claim 28, further comprising a micro-controller that receives the transmitter data control signal on the first control line, wherein the bandwidth controller receives a second user command signal on the second control line, the bandwidth controller producing the bandwidth control signal based on the second user command signal. 
     
     
       30. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, further comprising:
 a) a receiver data rate detector coupled to detect a data rate of the first electrical signal, the receiver data rate detector producing a receiver data control signal based on the detected data rate of the first electrical signal, and the bandwidth controller producing the bandwidth control signal based on the receiver data control signal;   b) a transmitter data rate detector coupled to detect a data rate of the electrical input signal and producing a data rate set up signal; and   c) a micro-controller that receives the data rate set up signal and controls a bias voltage and a driving current of the driver circuit.   
     
     
       31. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, wherein the bandwidth control signal is controlled by software. 
     
     
       32. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, wherein the optical interface determines an operation mode for the optical transceiver through hand-shaking, and the operation mode sets the first data rate and a data rate of the input optical signal through remote provisioning by a link party. 
     
     
       33. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, wherein the amplifier comprises:
 a) a transimpedance amplifier receiving the first electrical signal and providing an amplified electrical signal, wherein the bandwidth controller controls a bandwidth of the transimpedance amplifier, and   b) a limiting amplifier receiving the amplified electrical signal and providing the output electrical signal.   
     
     
       34. The optical transceiver as in claim 24, wherein the bandwidth controller is configured to control frequency response characteristics of the amplifier. 
     
     
       35. A method of receiving and transmitting optical signals, comprising:
 converting an electrical input signal into a driver signal at a data rate that is based on and that varies with a first command signal;   converting the driver signal into an optical output signal and at a variable output power that is based on and that varies with the first command signal, the optical output signal carrying data of the driver signal;   converting an input optical signal into a first electrical signal; and   amplifying the first electrical signal to generate an output electrical signal, the first electrical signal having a modifiable bandwidth that is controlled by a second command signal.   
     
     
       36. The method as in claim 35, wherein a difference in the modifiable bandwidth of the first electrical signal results in a difference in sensitivity of the input optical signal, and the sensitivity of the input optical signal is modified to fit a data rate of the input optical signal. 
     
     
       37. The method as in claim 35, wherein the first command signal and the second command signal are represented by one or more mode signals that set desired data rates for data transmission and data reception. 
     
     
       38. The method as in claim 35, wherein a change in the first command signal changes a data rate of the optical output signal, and a change in the second command signal changes a data rate of the optical input signal. 
     
     
       39. The method as in claim 35, wherein the power of the driver signal corresponds to a bias voltage and a driving current, and the method further comprises controlling a power of the driver signal based on a feedback control signal, the feedback control signal adjusting the bias voltage and/or the driving current to control an output power of the optical output signal. 
     
     
       40. The method as in claim 35, further comprising determining an operation mode for the optical transceiver through hand-shaking. 
     
     
       41. The method as in claim 40, wherein the operation mode sets the data rates of the driver signal and the input optical signal through remote provisioning by a link party.