New Nonlinear Electrical Modeling of High-Speed Electroabsorption Modulators for 40 Gb/s Optical Networks

A specific modeling method is investigated in order to predict the large-signal modulation behavior of integrated electroabsorption modulators (EAMs) for high-speed applications in optical networks. The equivalent dynamic model includes the main nonlinearity of the EAM and takes into account the electrical and optical characteristics of the optoelectronic device. The developed specific design process is a suitable and powerful tool for simulating over wide dc bias and frequency ranges, scattering parameters, small-signal modulation response, and large-signal eye-diagram performance. Moreover, 3-D electromagnetic simulations are associated with circuit simulations to carry out for the RF input line of the EAM. This simulation model can be easily integrated in a global optical communication system simulator to estimate the temporal behavior of the modulated output optical power and then digital performances.