A telecommunications system and constituent integrated circuit that includes a post-amplifier assembly configured for communication with an optical receiver, a laser driver assembly configured for communication with the optical transmitter, and a controller assembly configured to control the post-amplifier and laser driver. The post-amplifier, the laser driver, and the controller assemblies are embodied on a single integrated circuit, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Noise due to clock generation may be reduced by having the clock act on a transient basis, turning on when needed during the boot process, and turning off when not needed during normal operation.