Push-pull optical modulator driver circuit.

摘要

A drive circuit for increasing the voltage range applied across an optical modulator (M1) in a transmitter stage of an optical communication system comprises a first switch (Q1,Q2) and a second switch (Q3,Q4) connected thereto. The first switch is responsive to a first input signal (A) and has a maximum voltage drop equal to a first reference voltage (+Vmod). The second switch is responsive to a second input signal (A-Vmod) and has a maximum voltage drop equal to a second reference voltage (-Vmod). A modulator (M1) is connected between the first and second switches so that, depending on the values of the first and second input signals, the maximum voltage drop across the modulator will be a value (2Vmod) greater than either the first or the second reference voltage.