An optical transceiver module having digital control of laser current
peaking is disclosed. The optical transceiver module comprises a
controller and integrated post-amplifier/laser driver, which are included
on a printed circuit board disposed in the module. Transmitting and
receiving optical sub-assemblies are also disposed in the module. A
digital signal interface interconnects the controller with the integrated
post-amplifier/laser driver. Digital control signals produced by the
controller are transmitted via the digital signal interface to the
integrated post-amplifier/laser driver, where they are converted to
analog control signals. The analog control signals are forwarded to
control components responsible for governing the electrical current
supplied to the laser of the transmitting optical sub-assembly. The laser
current is intermittently peaked by the control signal in order to hasten
the transition from light to no-light emission, thereby improving laser
response and performance.