A microwave spectral approach for aligning high speed data and soliton pulse trains in dual Mach-Zehnder modulator optical transmitters

It has been shown that pulse carver and data modulator misalignment can be determined solely from microwave spectral measurements made on the transmitter optical output signal. This approach does not require the introduction of dither tones or any aberrations to the desired optical signal. A possible technique for using this spectral information to detect and correct the misalignment problem has been demonstrated. This approach looks to have much promise as a commercial solution to this problem. Simulation results support the laboratory findings and indicate that even with normal system parameter variations, the proposed approach should work well.