Frame formatting for high rate optical communications

A digital decoding and demodulation apparatus, comprising:

• an optical interface module configured to receive a plurality of optical signals on a plurality of optical channels from an optical fiber and output a digitized version of each optical signal;
• a unique word identification module coupled with the optical interface module and configured to identify a unique word in each of the plurality of optical signals;
• and
• a demodulator module coupled with the unique word module and configured to:
• receive the digitized version of the optical signals;
• and
• demodulate the optical signals into data transport frames using characteristics of the optical signals determined using the identified unique words, the one or more characteristics comprising an identification of one or more of the plurality of data streams and timing information between one or more of the plurality of data streams.

A method comprising:

• receiving an incoming encoded bit stream that is to be transmitted over a plurality of optical channels in an optical fiber communication system;
• differentially encoding the encoded bit stream;
• inserting a unique word into the bit stream for each optical channel onto which the encoded bit stream is to be transmitted, each optical channel corresponding to a different unique word;
• and
• transmitting the encoded bit stream and unique words over the plurality of optical channels.

A method comprising:

• receiving a digitized version of a plurality of optical signals received from an optical fiber communication system, the digitized version of the plurality of optical signals including a plurality of data streams corresponding to the plurality of optical signals;
• identifying a unique word in each of the data streams;
• determining one or more characteristics of the data streams based on the identification of the unique words, the one or more characteristics comprising an identification of one or more of the plurality of data streams and timing information between one or more of the plurality of data streams;
• and
• demodulating the data streams into data transport frames using characteristics of the optical signals determined using the identified unique words.

A method comprising:

• receiving an incoming encoded bit stream that is to be transmitted over a plurality of optical channels in an optical fiber communication system;
• inserting a unique word into the bit stream for each optical channel onto which the encoded bit stream is to be transmitted, each optical channel corresponding to a different unique word;
• and
• transmitting the encoded bit stream and unique words over the plurality of optical channels,
• wherein transmitting the encoded bit stream comprises transmitting dual-polarity QPSK optical signals over an optical fiber.