System and Method For Implementing Adaptive Pulse Position Modulation (APPM) For Improved Optical Communications Performance

A communications system for facilitating communications across a wireless optical channel comprising:

• an optical transmission device for transmitting encoded optical signals across the wireless optical channel, wherein the optical transmission device includes means for encoding the optical signals in accordance with at least one of multiple encoding schemes;
• an optical detection device for receiving transmitted optical signals from the optical transmission device across the wireless optical channel, wherein the optical detection device includes means for automatically adjusting gain of the optical detection device responsive to one or more measurements related to the received optical signals;
• and
• further wherein the means for encoding the optical signals varies an applicable at least one of multiple encoding schemes during the communication with the optical detection device responsive to the one or more measurements related to the received optical signals.