  Starting with the many-body Schr\"odinger equation we derive new rate
equations for resonant transport in quantum dots linked by ballistic channels
with high density of states. The charging and the Pauli exclusion principle
effects were taken into account. It is shown that the current in such a system
displays quantum coherence effects, even if the dots are away one from another.
A comparative analysis of quantum coherence effects in coupled and separated
dots is presented. The rate equations are extended for description of coherent
and incoherent transport in arbitrary multi-dot systems. It is demonstrated
that new rate equations constitute a generalization of the well-known optical
Bloch equations.
