  We study many-qubit generalizations of quantum noise channels that can be
written as an incoherent sum of translations in phase space. Physical
description in terms of the spectral properties of the superoperator and the
action in phase space are provided. A very natural description of decoherence
leading to a preferred basis is achieved with diffusion along a phase space
line. The numerical advantages of using the chord representation are
illustrated in the case of coarse-graining noise.
