Multi-carrier transmitter with integrated multiplexer and receiver with integrated demultiplexer

An optical transmitter, comprising:

• a first modulation component configured to modulate a first optical carrier signal to generate a first modulation signal and a second modulation signal;
• a second modulation component configured to modulate a second optical carrier signal, different than the first optical carrier signal, to generate a third modulation signal and a fourth modulation signal;
• a first polarization beam combiner configured to combine the first modulation signal and the second modulation signal,
• wherein a first polarization rotator, configured to be between the first modulation component and the first polarization beam combiner, is further configured to rotate a first polarization of the second modulation signal;
• a second polarization beam combiner configured to combine the third modulation signal and the fourth modulation signal,
• wherein a second polarization rotator, configured to be between the second modulation component and the second polarization beam combiner, is further configured to rotate a second polarization of the fourth modulation signal;
• and
• a multiplexing component configured to generate an output signal by multiplexing a first output of the first polarization beam combiner and a second output of the second polarization beam combiner.

An optical receiver, comprising:

• a first polarization beam splitter configured to split a first reception signal into a first optical signal and a second optical signal;
• a second polarization beam splitter configured to split a second reception signal into a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal;
• a first demodulation component configured to mix the first optical signal and the second optical signal with a first local oscillator signal to demodulate the first optical signal and the second optical signal,
• wherein a third polarization rotator, configured to be between the first polarization beam splitter and the first demodulation component, is further configured to rotate a third polarization of the second optical signal;
• a second demodulation component configured to mix the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal with a second local oscillator signal to demodulate the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal,
• wherein a third polarization rotator, configured to be between the second polarization beam splitter and the second demodulation component, is further configured to rotate a fourth polarization of the fourth optical signal;
• and
• a demultiplexing component configured to demultiplex a reception signal into the first reception signal and the second reception signal.