Optical transceiver with a composite electrical input

This invention relates to an improved optical transceiver. The invention provides an optical transceiver comprising a photodetector for receiving an optical signal and generating and electrical signal; an optical source for generating an optical signal in response to an electrical signal; and a modulator/demodulator arranged to receive a modulated electrical signal and to generate therefrom a plurality of transmission electrical signals; and receive a plurality of received electrical signals and to generate therefrom a modulated electrical signal; wherein the said plurality of transmission electrical signals are coupled to the optical source for transmission of corresponding optical signals; and the photodetector receives a plurality of optical signals and generates therefrom the said plurality of received electrical signals.