A system includes a first unit configured to generate a plurality of modulator control signals, and a processor unit. The processor unit includes: a light source or port configured to provide a plurality of light outputs, and a first set of optical modulators coupled to the light source or port and the first unit. The optical modulators in the first set are configured to generate an optical input vector by modulating the plurality of light outputs provided by the light source or port based on digital input values corresponding to a first set of modulator control signals in the plurality of modulator control signals, the optical input vector comprising a plurality of optical signals. The processor unit also includes a matrix multiplication unit that includes a second set of optical modulators. The matrix multiplication unit is coupled to the first unit, and is configured to transform the optical input vector into an analog output vector based on a plurality of digital weight values corresponding to a second set of modulator control signals in the plurality of modulator control signals applied to the second set of optical modulators. At least one optical modulator of at least one of the first set of optical modulators or the second set of optical modulators is configured to modulate an optical signal based on a first modulator control signal among the plurality of modulator control signals, and the first unit is configured to shape the first modulator control signal to include bandwidth-enhancement associated with a change in amplitude associated with a corresponding change in successive digital values corresponding to the first modulator control signal.