Digital optical sourcing and methods of operating a digital optical source

Digital optical sources and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, a digital optical source (10) includes a laser (16), an optical intensity modulator (18), and a drive circuit (14). The laser (16) is operable to generate light of higher output optical power in a high output power mode and to generate light of lower output optical power in a low output power mode. The optical intensity modulator (18) is coupled to receive light from the laser (16) and is operable to intensity modulate the received laser light less in a high output power mode and to intensity modulate the received laser light more in a low output power mode. The drive circuit (14) is coupled to the laser (16) and the optical intensity modulator (18) and is configured so that the laser (16) and the optical intensity modulator (18) are operated synchronously in high output power modes and in low output power modes.