Optical communication system

An optical data transmitter comprising

• means responsive to a first input signal, for sending a clock pulse signal followed by a clock pulse signal delayed by a first predetermined time interval (D0),
• means, responsive to a second input signal, for sending a clock pulse signal followed by a delayed clock pulse signal delayed by a second predetermined time interval (D1), and
• means for transmitting clock pulses at a third predetermined time interval T, where T is greater than twice either D0 or D1.

An optical data transmitter for transmitting optical pulses in a multiple time slot interval, comprising

• first means, responsive to a first input signal, for generating and transmitting a first and a second pulse representative of said first input signal during different time slots of said multiple time slot interval, said first pulse occurring during a first time slot and said second pulse occurring during a first unique subsequent time slot and
• second means, responsive to a second input signal, for generating and transmitting during said multiple time slot interval a first and a second pulse representative of said second input signal, said first pulse occurring during said first time slot and said second pulse occurring during a second unique subsequent time slot, and.
• wherein the number of time slots in said multiple time slot interval is selected to be at least one less than twice the number of time slots utilized by either said first or second means.

An optical data transmitter comprising

• first means, responsive to a first input signal, for generating and transmitting a first binary optical signal including two pulses having a first optical intensity level and occupying a first predetermined time period,
• second means, responsive to a second input signal, for generating and transmitting a second binary optical signal including two pulses having said first occupyingoptical intenssity level and occupying a second a second predetermined time period, and
• means for controlling a third predetermined time period between said first and second optical signals to be greater than said first or said second predetermined time period.

An optical data receiver for receiving pairs of optical signals over an optical path comprising

• first optical circuit means for receiving a first pair of optical pulses having a first predetermined time period therebetween and, in response thereto, for generating a first output signal,
• second optical circuit means for receiving a second pair of optical pulses having a second predetermined time period therebetween and, in response thereto, for generating a second output signal, and wherein
• the time spacing between the reception of consecutive optical signal pairs is greater than either said first or second predetermined time period.