The most efficient way to encode laser diodes for maximum data rate is studied. Three different system architectures are considered, with combining achieved by dichroic mirrors operating in conjunction with a pulse-position-modulated (PPM) format. The basic criterion is to maximize the data rate with increasing number of diodes, while maintaining diode power constraints and decoding bit error probability. The three systems are: power combining into a single pulse, followed by PPM encoding; parallel channels, in which each diode is separately PPM encoded; and color coding, in which diodes are encoded over a common wavelength-time slot alphabet. Data rate equations are presented as a function of the number of diodes, mirror combining losses, PPM alphabet size, and the operating optical signal-to-noise ratio.>