Error statistic of QAM channel in AM/QAM hybrid optical transmission

The error statistic of the QAM channel in an AM/QAM hybrid optical transmission system is measured. Errors occur randomly in optical transmission without clipping. However, errors are found to occur in bursts when the impulsive noise due to clipping degrades the QAM signal's BER. The error statistic is critical to properly designing the error correction employed in the hybrid system.