Optical pulse pattern generator

摘要

An optical pulse pattern generator can generate optical pulse signals with various periods and patterns. It supplies an optical pulse from an optical pulse source (9) to a variable optical delay line circuit including cascade-connected characteristic-variable asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometers (102 and 103) via an optical combiner and splitter (101). The optical pulse is fed back to the optical combiner and splitter (101) from the final stages of the cascade-connected characteristic-variable a symmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometers (102 and 103) via an optical exclusive OR circuit (104) and optical amplifier (14). Making directional couplers with variable coupling ratio (11-1 to 11-5 and 11-7 to 11-11), and directional couplers with variable coupling ratio (11-6 and 11-12) in operation can cause the final stage of the cascade-connected characteristic-variable asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder interferometer (103) to produce a random pulse train.