![](http://investorshub.advfn.com/images/default_ih_profile2_4848.jpg?cb=0)
Thursday, October 03, 2019 8:22:11 AM
I was asked this question recently and since it's such a compelling advantage of LWLG's modulators, I felt it was beneficial to put on my tinfoil hat and share my response.
Here is a good App Note from ixBlue that describes what a Modulator Driver is in fairly good detail.
The modulator Driver does two things, (1) it amplifies the incoming RF signal (the datastream) to the level that is optimized for the modulator (dependent upon the Vpi of the modulator). (2) it tracks the optimum DC bias point of the modulator (modulation dependent) and maintains the bias by tracking the output in a feedback loop to address operating point drift w.r.t. temperature, signal levels, electrode capacitance, etc.
So the driver needs to have a very linear high bandwidth RF amplifier, DACs/ADCs, op-amps and a processor to do all these fine functions.
The most power-hungry component in the Driver will be the RF Amp, typically using GaAs transistors. Linear amplifiers are notoriously inefficient (Class A). And - to be linear - need to be 'backed off' from their 1dB compression point (P1dB) by several dB. It is difficult (read expensive) to build a wideband RF amplifier that has linear characteristics, a flat passband and low noise.
The difficulty in building a high-performance RF Amplifier is compounded as the bandwidth is increased. With LWLG's modulators approaching 100 GHz, this becomes an extremely challenging (expensive) endeavor.
If the Vpi of the modulator is low enough, the incoming signal does not require amplification, which obviates the need for this expensive, power-hungry Driver component. Most Modulator Drivers require 12V to operate and consume prodigious amounts of power. Removing the need for the driver saves a LOT of power and expense.
This is true regardless of whether the modulator is intensity or phase modulated (amplitude or phase modulation).
Consequently, Direct Drive Modulators such as LWLG is marketing are a really, really big deal to the industry.
PG
Recent LWLG News
- Lightwave Logic Reaffirms Commercialization Timeline Presented at the 2024 Annual Shareholder Meeting • PR Newswire (US) • 06/03/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/24/2024 08:01:14 PM
- Lightwave Logic and Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF) Partner to Accelerate Development of Silicon Photonics Modulators Using Electro-Optic Polymers • PR Newswire (US) • 05/21/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic Provides First Quarter 2024 Corporate Update • PR Newswire (US) • 05/13/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/10/2024 08:41:09 PM
- Lightwave Logic Demonstrates Thought Leadership with Critical Contributions to Global Integrated Photonics Industry Roadmap • PR Newswire (US) • 04/16/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic Secures New Patent for Diamondoid Non-linear Optical Chromophore Patent to Improves Material Robustness • PR Newswire (US) • 04/01/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic EO Polymer Achieves World-Class Performance of 400Gbps with Plasmonic Mach Zehnder Modulator • PR Newswire (US) • 03/28/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic Demonstrates World-Class 200Gbps Heterogeneous Polymer/Silicon Photonic Modulator Results • PR Newswire (US) • 03/25/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic to Host Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 22, 2024 • PR Newswire (US) • 03/19/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences • PR Newswire (US) • 03/15/2024 12:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic Provides Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Corporate Update • PR Newswire (US) • 03/01/2024 01:31:00 PM
- Form 10-K - Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/29/2024 10:09:53 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/08/2023 09:00:04 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/07/2023 12:11:28 AM
- Lightwave Logic Issues Shareholder Letter and Provides Corporate Update • PR Newswire (US) • 12/04/2023 01:31:00 PM
- Small Cap Recipient of Military Drone Technology • InvestorsHub NewsWire • 11/20/2023 01:14:45 PM
- Epazz, Inc. (OTC Pink: EPAZ) ZenaDrone Demonstration to Defense Departments of UAE and Saudi Arabia • InvestorsHub NewsWire • 11/15/2023 12:19:31 PM
- Lightwave Logic Provides Third Quarter 2023 Corporate Update • PR Newswire (US) • 11/10/2023 01:31:00 PM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 11/09/2023 09:24:23 PM
- Lightwave Logic to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences • PR Newswire (US) • 11/06/2023 01:31:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic CEO Dr. Michael Lebby to Present at the Optica Photonic-Enabled Cloud Computing Industry Summit • PR Newswire (US) • 10/12/2023 12:50:00 PM
- Lightwave Logic Receives 2023 Industry Innovation Award for Hybrid PIC/Optical Integration Platform at the European Conference on Optical Communications • PR Newswire (US) • 10/03/2023 12:31:00 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 10/02/2023 08:00:08 PM
- Lightwave Logic to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences • PR Newswire (US) • 09/05/2023 12:31:00 PM
Greenlite Ventures Completes Agreement with No Limit Technology • GRNL • Jul 19, 2024 10:00 AM
VAYK Expects Revenue from First Airbnb Property Starting from August • VAYK • Jul 18, 2024 9:00 AM
North Bay Resources Acquires Mt. Vernon Gold Mine, Sierra County, California, with Assays up to 4.8 oz. Au per Ton • NBRI • Jul 18, 2024 9:00 AM
Nightfood Holdings Signs Letter of Intent for All-Stock Acquisition of CarryOutSupplies.com • NGTF • Jul 17, 2024 1:00 PM
Kona Gold Beverages Reaches Out to Largest Debt Holder for Debt Purchase Negotiation • KGKG • Jul 17, 2024 9:00 AM
Avant Technologies Welcomes Back Former CEO with Eye Toward Future Growth and Expansion • AVAI • Jul 17, 2024 8:00 AM