DAC-less and amplifier-less generation and transmission of 16QAM signals using a sub-volt silicon photonic modulator

We demonstrate generation and transmission of QPSK and 16QAM signals by directly interfacing highly efficient silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) modulators to GTH ports of an FPGA. Peak-to-peak voltages amount to only 0.41 V
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Neither digital-to-analog converters (DAC) nor drive amplifiers are required.