We disclose an optical transport system configured to transport the same data using two different channels of an optical transport link in a manner that enables an optical receiver to use direct detection of the optical power received through each of the two channels to measure the in-phase and quadrature components of the modulating electromagnetic field. In an example embodiment, an optical carrier of the modulated optical signal transported using the first of the two channels and an optical carrier of the modulated optical signal transported using the second of the two channels have a fixed relative phase offset of approximately 90 degrees. The resulting ability of the optical receiver to measure each of the in-phase and quadrature components of the modulating electromagnetic field advantageously enables the optical receiver to perform electronic signal equalization, including but not limited to electronic dispersion compensation.