'''ADAT Optical Interface''' (also commonly known as LightPipe) is the industry standard for digital interfacing of multi-track recording equipment. Manufacturers are supporting ADAT on multiple product offerings.
ADAT uses a format which allows up to 8 channels of uncompressed 24-bit audio at a 48kHz sampling rate, or 4 channels of 24-bit uncompressed audio at a 96kHz sampling rate.


More specifics about ADAT can be deduced by downloading documents about Wavefront Semiconductor's ADAT Optical Devices: http://www.wavefrontsemi.com/UserFiles/File/AL_Info/AL14/Wavefront%20AL1401AG%20OptoGen%20Data%20Sheet.pdf?hashID=26c2115222a0ca876603fa4ea2104b7d
For instance about the one period WordClock of the ADAT-protocol that supports 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24-bit data formats:



[[[ADAT-protocol.JPG]]]


The German Frank Albert builds specialized ADAT products like wirless transmitters:


[[[ADM-0801.jpg]]]



In order to connect and route all these signals back and forth Friend-Chip Studio Electronics offers patch-bays:


[[[dmx_12b.jpg]]]

Both companies have their own website with specific ADAT-related links:

http://www.albert-av.de/htm/adat/produkte.htm#kapa1
http://www.friend-chip.de/dmx12.htm


More generally, but very informative:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT