Patent ID: 8014686

Claim:
A receiver, comprising: an optical processor circuit configured to: receive a first optical signal, which carries a plurality of bits, and output a plurality of second optical signals, each of the plurality of second optical signals including a corresponding one of a plurality of first optical components, each of the plurality of first optical components being delayed relative to the first optical signal, each of the plurality of second optical signals also including a corresponding one of a plurality of second optical components, at least one of the plurality of second optical components: having one of a phase or a polarization which is different than a phase or a polarization, respectively, of the first optical signal, or resulting from a combination or a splitting of portions of the first optical signal; a plurality of photodiodes configured to: receive the plurality of second optical signals, and generate a plurality of electrical signals in response thereto; and an electronic processor circuit configured to: receive the plurality of electrical signals, and output the plurality of bits based at least in part on: a first one of the plurality of electrical signals being scaled in accordance with a gain, or a combination of at least first and second ones of the plurality of electrical signals, which have been added, subtracted, or delayed relative to one another by a delay time period, where when the plurality of bits are output based at least in part on the first one of the plurality of electrical signals being scaled in accordance with the gain, the electronic processor circuit adjusts the gain in accordance with a variation in the polarization of the first optical signal or a variation in a wavelength of the first optical signal, and when the plurality of bits are output based at least in part on the first and second ones of the plurality of electrical signals being delayed relative to one another by the delay time period, the electronic processor circuit adjusts the delay time period in accordance with the variation in the polarization of the first optical signal or the variation in a wavelength of the first optical signal.