An apparatus and method for transmitting a signal for optical network applications with automatic chromatic dispersion compensation. The apparatus includes a first optical transmitter. The first optical transmitter includes a first light source configured to generate a first laser signal in response to a first laser drive signal, a first data modulator configured to receive the first laser signal and a first data drive signal and output a first chirped return-to-zero signal, and a first signal source configured to generate a first non-return-to-zero signal. Additionally, the apparatus includes a first clock and data recovery system, a first data driver, a first adjustment system, and a first control system.