An optical communication system is provided. The optical communication system includes an optical fiber, an optical transmitter, and an optical receiver. The optical transmitter is coupled to the optical fiber. The optical transmitter is adapted to encode a pulse amplitude modulated optical signal based on at least two, independent input signals. The optical receiver is coupled to the optical fiber. The optical receiver is adapted to decode the pulse amplitude modulated optical signal to reproduce the at least two, independent input signals as output signals.