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launch from the terminal but also increases the overall receive lens surface while
minimizing the impact of 'heat shimmer' or 'scintillation' that can negatively impact
the bit-error-rate [BER] performance of longer-distance FSO systems," adds
Willebrand.
Indeed, while many terrestrial FSO systems use single-laser sources between 780
and 850 nm, multisource systems can improve transmission when atmospheric
turbulence causes scintillation and fading or when clouds and aerosols cause
scattering and pulse broadening. "For FSO systems operating outdoors, we have
developed mitigation techniques incorporating multiple transmit lasers and multiple
receive apertures," says Mohsen Kavehrad, W.L. Weiss professor of electrical
engineering at Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA). 6 "The main
concept of these MIMO [multi-input multi-output] systems is to use the spatial
diversity available from scintillation prevalent in long links, to improve received
signal-to-noise ratio and BER. As a result, it is possible to sustain longer links with
the same amount of power used by a single-input single-output [SISO] system."
Kavehrad adds, "Adaptive optics is another solution to compensate for phase
perturbation on long-distance links."
instrumentation (b).
(Courtesy of LightPointe)
Boston Micromachines (BMC; Cambridge, MA) offers both microelectromechanical
systems (MEMS) deformable mirrors for aberration correction and MEMS
modulating retroreflectors (MRRs) for FSO covert communication and remote
sensor integration. Originally developed for a DARPA coherent laser communication
project, their Kilo-DM deformable mirror has 1020 actuators controlled to <1 nm of
precision with no hysteresis. "The Kilo-DM can pre-correct for distortions present in
the beam path as well as correct for defects in the optical systems used to transmit
or receive data," says Michael Feinberg, director of product marketing at BMC. And
applicable to both terrestrial and space-borne applications, BMC's MRR uses a
MEMS modulator mounted in a corner-cube retroreflector for asymmetric FSO
communications at 180 kHz transmission speeds (see Fig. 4). "The term
'asymmetric' essentially means 'one way': in this case, our MRR receives an
interrogating beam and modulates the reflected beam to transmit information," says
Feinberg. "Bidirectional communication is also possible if beams are projected from
two nodes with corresponding MRRs at each node."
MRV Communications (Chatsworth, CA), who has installed more than 8000
terrestrial FSO links, uses multiple 100 mW infrared transmitters in its TereScope
system and an 8 in. diameter receiver for data rates up to 10 Gbit/s at distances up
to 5.5 km in a variety of weather conditions. In light rain and haze, transmission
signals typically see 3 dB/km attenuation values that increase to 17 dB/km for
cloudbursts and medium snow, and are as high as 30 dB/km in the presence of
steady rain, a blizzard, or light fog.
Longer wavelengths, longer reach
"Because Rayleigh scattering diminishes with increasing wavelength, a 10 m
wavelength source offers significantly less scattering than a 1.55 m wavelength,"
says Kumar C. Patel, CEO at Pranalytica (Santa Monica, CA). Patel references a
Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ) study that showed 2X to 3X greater
transmission during fog formation and after a short rain event (that reduced visibility
to approximately 1 km) using an FSO system with an 8.1 m source compared to
using conventional 1.3 and 1.5 m sources.7 "We are working on FSO
communications using mid-infrared [mid-IR] radiation sources-specifically quantumcascade [QC] lasersand developing new detection systems that allow for easy
demodulation of the signal," says Rainer Martini, director of the Laboratory for
Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Communications at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Daylight Solutions (San Diego, CA) is also exploring the functionality of FSO
communications using mid-IR QC lasers through a collaboration with San Diego
State University. While these 3-12 m sources are excellent at identifying the
spectral "fingerprint" of atmospheric molecules, FSO transmission is only successful
if the launch wavelength avoids the atmospheric absorption lines of water vapor,
CO2, and pollution or other common atmospheric molecules. "For this reason, longer
wavelengths between 8 and 12 m are considered optimal candidates for nextgeneration terrestrial FSO communications networks," says Sam Crivello, senior
scientist at Daylight Solutions. "Our tunable external-cavity QC lasers allow the user
to tune to a window in a dynamically changing atmosphere to avoid the interference
of pollutants and water, for full-duplex communications with high baud rates and very
low BERs using wavelength-division multiplexing techniques."
Undersea challenges, future terrestrial promises
In early 2010, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI; Woods Hole, MA)
developed an optical/acoustic undersea communications system that transports data
over a visible-light beam at 1-10 Mbit/s data rates at 100 m distances from
untethered remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to surface ships or laboratories.
Acoustic communications then take over at distances beyond 100 m.
FIGURE 4. A
microelectromechanical-systems
(MEMS)-based modulating
retroreflector uses a MEMS
modulator mounted in a hollow
corner cube retroreflector for
passively reflecting and modulating
an interrogating laser source. The
far-field intensity of the reflected
interrogating beam is modulated
by switching between a flat and
diffractive state. By alternating
between the unpowered and
FSO technology for high-speed and secure data transmission was originally developed by
the US military and NASA. It has been used for more than three decades in various forms
to provide fast communication links in remote locations. Over the years, FSO technology has
gained acceptance in the telecommunication industry, particularly in the enterprise campus
networking environment. Due to the enormous bandwidth capabilities of FSO transmission
and the worldwide unlicensed nature of the transmission spectrum, FSO technology has
enormous potential for short-distance wireless connections.
Apart from the obvious advantages of the high rates of laser communication underwater,
such transmission is also inexpensive, immune to jamming and has a low signal-to-noise
ratio. However, line-of-sight is a major disadvantage. The basic concept of laser
communication between two computers, both in free space and under water, is more or less
the same. However, factors that impact performance underwater, like water salinity and
turbidity, have to be taken into consideration.
In this article, design of the actual concept of underwater communication is proposed to be
configured around green laser module that is intensity modulated by the intelligence signal
to be transmitted. On the receiver side, a suitable photo-sensor-based circuit is used to
demodulate the signal. On the transmitter and receiver side, the computer interface is
through RS-232. The data file to be transmitted is converted into a serial bit stream, and
then used to modulate the laser through the RS-232 serial interface. On the receiver side,
the laser beam is detected and the serial bit stream is recovered. The bit stream is
converted back to the desired format in the PC. The latter part of the article covers the
advantages of laser communication over optical communication under water, and also
discusses the emerging concepts and their implementation.
Operational methodology
The following section covers the operational principle of underwater laser communication
links. The proposed communication setup comprises five major elementsthe source of the
data to be transmitted (in this case, the PC), the transmitter, communication channel,
receiver and the data receiving terminal (PC).
op-amp LM324 and an npn Darlington transistor. The magnitude of constant current is given
by the voltage appearing at terminal 3 of this op-amp and the value of resistance RE.
The laser source used is a diode pumped solid state laser operating at 532 nm (green) with
an output power of 10 mW. Green laser is used for underwater laser communication links,
as it has the least attenuation in water. The proposed high-power green laser, which
combines high power and high brightness with low signal noise at high repetition rates, has
a great potential.
The current drive to the laser varies between two values corresponding to the low and high
levels of the TTL pulse stream. As a result, the laser beam gets intensity modulated, i.e., its
intensity or power gets modulated. It is a type of pulse amplitude modulation. The
modulated laser beam is transmitted towards the receiver. The laser communication needs
line-of-sight conditions, i.e., the transmitter and receiver should be in line-of-sight.
Receiver
The modulated laser beam falls on the photo diode (type FND100). FND100 is a silicon PIN
photo diode. The corresponding current signal generated by the photo diode is converted
into an equivalent voltage signal, which is then amplified in a non-inverting amplifier circuit
configured around op-amp AD829a high-speed, high- bandwidth op-amp.
The amplified signal is then fed to a voltage comparator configured around op-amp
comparator LM319, which is a high-speed dual comparator. One of the two comparators
available on the chip has been used here. The comparator output is a TTL compatible pulse
stream representing data.
This pulse stream is then fed to a TTL buffer of non-inverting type (SN 74LS244). 74LS244
is a hex non-inverting buffer. Three buffers are used in parallel for higher current drive
capability. The buffer output feeds the TTL/CMOS input of one of the drivers in the MAX232
converter. The corresponding EIA232 output feeds the PC through the serial port. The hyper
terminal software in the PC converts the EIA232 bit stream back to a data file, which is
stored in the memory and is available on the desktop.
Laser communicationadvantages and applications
Fibre-optic communication can be implemented for a longer distance underwater as
compared to a laser system since distortion is much higher underwater than in free space,
but underwater laser communication gives us the distinct advantage of flexibility. Fibre-optic
communication can only be done where the optical fibre communication setup is available
and installed. Two submarines can easily transfer data anywhere in real time using an
underwater laser system, just by establishing line-of-sight.
Laser communication represents a mature, reliable approach for broadband access. Such
systems have been engineered to provide robust performance that is highly competitive
with other access approaches, offering high capacity, excellent availability of 99.9 per cent,
lowest cost per bps, and rapid deployment in less than one hour. The use of an encoder and
decoder allows the development of secure communication links. Secure optical
communication links are being extensively used in the defence industry to transmit secret
information. These systems are compatible with a wide range of applications and markets,
and are sufficiently flexible to be easily implemented using a variety of different
architectures. Because of these features, market projections indicate healthy growth for
optical wireless sales.
Microwaves cannot be used for underwater laser communication as they do not penetrate
through water. Very-low-frequency sound waves transmit through water but they cannot
enable high rates of data transfer. Blue-green lasers penetrate through water and are used
for high-speed communication applications.
Inter-satellite links employ infrared laser beams for transmitting data from satellite to
satellite. Lasers are used, as they do not suffer from attenuation in space and do not have
precise pointing requirements.
The application potential of laser communication is expanding at a brisk pace and many new
uses are emerging. Laser communication is also being used for satellite-to-satellite links,
satellite-to-submarine communication and interplanetary TV links.
Emerging trends in laser communication
Satellites can be used to communicate with many submarines that are submerged in sea
water at depths of 100 metres or so. This would eliminate the need for submarines to come
to the surface to establish communication, which would reduce their vulnerability. This
concept is highlighted in Fig. 4. Satellites in geostationary orbit transmit a large number of
narrow blue-green laser beams to create random spots on the ocean, with each beam
transmitting encrypted data. A large number of spots are generated, creating empty
positions so as not to give away the location of the submarines. Blue-green laser is used for
maximal penetration in sea water.
The concept of the interplanetary TV link is shown in Fig. 5. The setup makes use of a
satellite orbiting around a planet, with which the link has to be established, and a satellite
moving in a geostationary orbit around the earth. The planetary satellite makes use of a
low-power laser to transmit signals. The earth-orbiting satellite will have a sensor to receive
the optical signal, process it and convert it into microwave signals. The signal is converted
from the optical spectrum to the microwave spectrum, as the optical signals do not
penetrate clouds and are highly attenuated by rain. The conversion therefore allows the
establishment of a non-interruptive link, which enables the monitoring of events happening
on different planets on a real-time basis.
Underwater laser communication is an immensely interesting and attractive research topic
for scholars and academics. Many advanced countries around the world are trying to
successfully implement the technology for military purposes. Successful implementation of
this technology for long- distance use is a challenging and uphill task; however, if achieved,
it will be a major step forward in the field of communication.
The author is a technical editor trainee with Wiley Publications
TriLumina Light Engine technology expands a payload of configurations on existing platforms, enabling
remote sensor placement without re-wiring or RF constraints. TriLumina technology also permits RF
isolation and noiseless operations. Vehicles could conceivably go silent in a full optical environment.
TriLumina Light Engines are also capable of delivering incredibly large amounts of data (over 10 gigabits
per second) over optical links or beams of light. Smart phones, displays, televisions, laptops, hard drives
and other networked devices can connect and communicate wirelessly at extremely high speeds.
Listen Later
Listen To Article
After more than two decades of service, NASA on Wednesday announced that their Tracking and Data
Relay Satellite 4 (TDRS-4) had completed its mission and was being retired from active service.
According to a statement released from the US space agency, the communications satellite had
completed nearly 23 years of operational support far more than the 10 year operational life span it
had been designed for and that it had successfully completed end-of-mission deorbiting and
decommissioning activities.
TDRS-4, which was been launched in March 1989, operated in geosynchronous altitude, some 22,000
miles above the Atlantic Ocean, before it was decommissioned in November 2011. It was forced out of
action after losing one of three Nickel-Cadmium (24 cell) batteries and experiencing reduced storage
capacity for the remaining two. In order to retire the satellite, the excess fuel needed to be depleted,
the batteries disconnected, and the Radio Frequency Transmitters and receivers powered down, in
order to prevent future interference with other vehicles.
This is the second retirement from within the fleet of TDRS, NASA said. The fleet of seven remaining
satellites operates through a supporting ground system and together they make up the Space Network
(SN). The SN provides highly automated, user-driven services supporting customer spacecraft with
tracking and data acquisition. The network supports a varied number of missions, including the
International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, launch vehicles, and a variety of other science
missions.
It also provided primary communication support to the recently-retired space shuttle program.
The Space Network spacecraft engineering and operations teams worked together very effectively to
execute a practically flawless decommissioning of an incredible satellite, Mike Rackley, SN deputy
project manager at the Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a statement. TDRS-4 made great and
important contributions to NASAs human spaceflight and science missions. We will certainly miss her.
Read more at http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1112531291/nasa-announces-retirement-of-tdrs-4-
Solutions for:
Data rates of 5.6 Gbps are being demonstrated over laser communication link between
Advantages:
No licensing required,. Full duplex at high data rates. Secure data transmission.
What is better?
Bit Rates:
Air laser communication systems - decision of Last mile problem Advantages: No licensing required, secure data
transmission, no need to dig up roads for cables.
Is it possible laser communication from ground to space ? What is influence of atmosphere at the directions ground space or space - ground ?
For several years ESA developed laser communication program for communication between low earth orbital (LEO)
and geostationary (GEO) satellites.
In 2000 year we performed calculation and made an opinion, that similar laser communication experiments with GE
satellite possible using ordinary astronomical telescopes of our observatory.
ESA telecommunication satellite ARTEMIS was launched on 12 July 2001. He has RF channels and SILEX dev
(Semiconductor Laser Inter Satellite Link Experiment) that works at 2 Mbps and 50 Mbps rates.
In June 2002 specialists of ESA visited our observatory. After matching of calculations and discussing during visit
showed, that the same experiments of receiving-transmitting the information by laser communication channel
investigation of atmosphere influence at the propagation of laser beam between geostationary satellite and the gro
station can be performed using common astronomical telescopes and semiconductor laser transmitting system.
In January 31, 2003 geostationary satellite ARTEMIS ESA with laser terminal abo
was put into the planed orbit point of geostationary orbit above 21.5 E. Nowad
sessions of transmitting of information by laser channel from low-orbital SPOT-4
ARTEMIS satellite with next retranslation of the data by radio channel to the ground sta
are performing regularly. Laser communication experiments between ARTEMIS satellite
optical ground station (OGS) ESA at Canary Islands are performing also.
Japanese Space Agency also participates in ESA laser communication program. NASD
prepared the LEO satellite OCIETS with LUCE laser communication terminal aboard for transmitting of information onto
ARTEMIS satellite.
In September 2003 LUCE terminal was tested at ESA OGS and successfully performed laser communication session
with ARTEMIS satellite. These experiments proved our calculations and our technical solutions of preparing laser
communication experiments from ground to space using semiconductor lasers. (www.nasda.gov.jp)
ESA and NASA plan the experiments of laser communication from Moon and Mars orbits.
SMART-1 satellite near the Moon.
MAO performs the preparation to test experiments with ARTEMIS satellite using two telescopes: 0.7 m ordinary
astronomical telescope and 1m Laser Ranging Station (LRS). The purpose of the experiments with ground stations is to
compare differences in atmosphere propagation of laser beams between Atlantic and continental regions, investigate th
amplitudes, phases of optical pulsed signals in different atmosphere conditions, perform wave front measurements,
scattering on aerosols and small clouds, investigate fluorescence in upper atmosphere.
CW laser module
Realisation of laser communication experiments is performed under the ESA contract "Assessment of Space to Ground
Optical Link by Space Diversity". Equipment for laser communication experiments was developed for Cassegrain focus o
AZT-2 telescope.
Telecommunication satellite ARTEMIS was launched on 12 July 2001. It was at the geostationary orbit point (21E) at th
end of January 2003. Due to a multyfuntions in Ariane 5 upper stage ARTEMIS has inclination of the orbit (Now > +/- 7
deg). Spacial correction system of moving of the telescope was developted.
The tracking system works in micro-step regime with a computer step of correction = 0.003 arcsec per second of time
a maximum speed of correction up to 4.6 arcsec per second of time. The step regulation is possible directly from block
correction situated near the telescope. Also it is possible to correct the moving of the telescope using the computer RS485 interface in remote mode.
The pointing on the satellite is performed by CMOS camera (2000x3000 pix) with wide field of view. Another cooled sm
CCD camera (582x752 pix) with narrow field of view is used for tracking purposes.
Common view of the technology platform with main subsystems in Cassegrain focus o
the 0.7m telescope
Laser module with thermoelectric stabilisation of laser diode. Wavelength is 850 nm.
CMOS-camera testing
SAO105233 star (8m) and others. Fainting star is 17.3m. CMOS-camera without cooling in Cassegrain focus (10.5 m) o
AZT-2 telescope. 30 sec exposure. Observers: V.
Kuz'kov, S. Borysenko
For testing of tracking the calculations of middle photometric positions and fluctuations on X, Y coordinates of images o
ARTEMIS were performed. The results of calculations of satellite images with an exposure of 5 second show that standa
root mean square deviation along X coordinate is 0.65 arcsec and along Y coordinate is 0.4 arcsec during 3 minutes o
time for the set of images.
First laser experiments with ARTEMIS were performed on 9th and 10th of November 2008. We had 3 sessions fo
minutes of beacon scanning each night. We received the beacon signal during all the scanning time. First maximu
beacon signal was received 15 seconds after the beacon was turned on. The second maximum was seen 19 secon
after. We sent laser beam to the ARTEMIS direction during all last session.
During the sessions of 26 October 2011 (19:00 UTC, 20:00 UTC, 21:00 UTC) the sky was partly clouded. Weath
conditions were unstable and we recorded these sessions automatically. We were browsing the images of those
sessions and found that the beacon was visible through clouds. By this means, it is possible to observe the beacon
through the clouds and, accordingly, laser communication link through thin clouds can also be established.
communications-sat
ellite/#3W7VWoVxW7Q8mrA1.99
Industry-leading
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a university/campus setting, or
connecting cellular towers for mobile
LTE traffic, LightPointe's next
generation FSO solutions provide
throughout at the speed of light, and
cannot be intercepted.
Future" (1969)
for traditional, even newer radio-based technologies such as millimeterwave radio. Optical wireless products' similarities with conventional
wired optical solutions enable the seamless integration of access
networks with optical core networks and helps to realize the vision of an
all-optical network.
Free Space Technology in Communication Networks
Free-space optics technology (FSO) has several applications in
communications networks, where a connectivity gap exists between two
or more points. FSO technology delivers cost-effective optical wireless
connectivity and a faster return on investment (ROI) for Enterprises and
Mobile Carriers. With the ever-increasing demand for greater bandwidth
by Enterprise and Mobile Carrier subscribers comes a critical need for
FSO-based products for a balance of throughput, distance and
availability.During the last few years, customer deployments of FSObased products have grown. Here are some of the primary network
uses:
Enterprise
Because of the scalability and flexibility of FSO technology, optical
wireless products can be deployed in many enterprise applications
including building-to-building connectivity, disaster recovery, network
redundancy and temporary connectivity for applications such as data,
voice and data, video services, medical imaging, CAD and engineering
services, and fixed-line carrier bypass.
Mobile Carrier Backhaul
ing services, and fixed-line carrier bypass. Mobile Carrier Backhaul: FSO
technology and optical wireless products can be deployed to provide up
to 16xE1/T1 backhaul connectivity and Greenfield mobile networks.
Mobile Carrier Base Station Hoteling
FSO-based products can be used to expand Mobile Carrier Network
footprints through base station hoteling in tandem with ADCs
Digivance solution.
This figure shows free space optical transmission. This diagram shows that
free space optical transmission systems loose some of their energy from
signal scattering, absorption and scintillation. Optical signal scattering occurs
when light signals are redirected as they pass through water particles. Optical
signal absorption occurs as some optical energy is converted to heat as it
strikes particles (such as smog). Scintillation occurs when heated (such as
from smokestacks) air cause a bending of the optical beam. This example
shows that it is possible to transmit multiple lightwave signals on different
wavelengths (WDM) to increase the overall data transmission rate.
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Atmospheric optical communication over distances on the order of a kilometer allows the communication of dat
modulation rates as high as hundreds of gigabits per second. However, the laser beams are susceptible to fading
refractive index fluctuations induced by air-turbulence. Spatial diversity is an attractive technique to mitigate fa
the received signal.
The focus of this research is to create a system architecture for reliable and survivable high data rate free space o
communications. The research can be divided into two major objectives:
1. Reliable free space coherent optical communication over the turbulent atmospheric channel
2. Survivable communication with low probability of detection, interception and denial of service via jamming b
sophisticated adversaries with the best available technologies and knowledge of the system architecture
The system techniques that address both objectives are related and the overall final architecture will integrate the
objectives in a single design.
SATELLITE NETWORKS
This research project will address the architecture designs for efficient data communications over (satellite syste
especially when they are interconnected with terrestrial fiber and wireless systems to form a heterogeneous glob
Internet. There are three main components to this research:
1. Adaptive power and rate control techniques for the satellite systems over time-varying channels to achiev
greatly improved data throughputs
2. Efficient routing algorithms over a time-varying integrated and heterogeneous global network for maxim
resource utilization, especially the space segments.
3. Efficient congestion control algorithms at the transport and network layers for an intergrated satellite/terr
network.
PROACTIVE WIRELESS
NETWORKS
The objective of this research is to
develop a Proactive Mobile Wireless
Network paradigm for next
generation infrastructureless wireless
networking to guarantee critical services
Concept of operation.
Under this contract NOVASOL developed a Dual Mode Optical Interrogator (DMOI). The initial "alpha" unit of
this system was delivered to NRL in July, 2004.
Video: NRL alpha unit (Choose 'Save' option. 6.5MB)
With this system, the Interrogator tracks and communicates with a small moving Remote Unit within a
distance of 2 miles at 10Mbps.
In its primary mode, the Interrogator transmits a laser beam to a Remote Unit that modulates a data stream
onto the beam and reflects it back to the Interrogator. The Remote Station in this link is based on an ultralightweight and low-power Modulating Retroreflector, so a high-bandwidth downlink can be established with
minimal payload demand. All of the heavy, power-hungry equipment is located on the ground in the
Interrogator, which tracks the remote as well as transmitting the communications beam.
In the second mode, two Interrogator units communicate directly with each other, affording data rates of
gigabits per second over ranges of 20-50 kilometers. NOVASOL is fusing modulator laser technology with
precision pointing to produce a series of Interrogators adapted to a wide variety of "power to the edge"
uses. This equipment will facilitate rapid deployment of agile ad-hoc networks required by our militarys
transformational objectives. We are vigorously exploring new concepts to extend the range of applicability of
this technology with a family of Interrogators and Remotes of various sizes and capabilities. In May
2007, NOVASOL's newCompact Interrogator participated in a
Laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere. They work
similarly to fiber optic links, except the beam is transmitted through free space. While the
transmitter and receiver must require line-of-sight conditions, they have the benefit of
eliminating the need for broadcast rights and buried cables. The advantages of optical
communications are.
-The high frequency of the optical carrier it could go to 300,00 GHZ, that permits transmitted
much of information over a single channel than is possible with conventional radio or microwave
system.
- Short wavelength permits the realization of very small compact components.
-Low power and don't require any radio interference studies.
The carrier used for the transmission signal is typically generated by a laser diode.
Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
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While the fiber-optic backbone is already widely installed, only 5 percent of commercial buildings in
the United States have fiber to their door, even though most are within a mile of a fiber-optic line,
and many are within a few hundred feet. The "last mile" is proving to be the major bottleneck to
expanding broadband services to many potential customers, and it offers an obvious opportunity for
free-space optics (FSO) systems.
FSO systems are fast. Data rates of 1.25 Gbits/second are commonly supported and vendors have
recently been promoting 10-Gbit/s systems. Systems up to 160 Gbits/s are reportedly in
development. FSO operates in an unregulated section of the spectrum, so no Federal
Communications Commission permits are required. In addition, since trenching is eliminated, so are
all of the permits associated with such activities as digging up the streets and disrupting traffic, which
greatly speeds up installation.
Security is generally not a concern. Not only would the optical signal be very difficult to intercept
(requiring a receiver to somehow be placed up in the air directly in the narrow, invisible light path), as
soon as it was, the connection would drop out. The optical signal is also relatively immune to
jamming, in contrast to radio frequency systems. As a testament to the level of security offered, the
U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense Organization is investigating FSO communications for "undisclosed"
applications.
The primary limitation to FSO system performance is interference due to weather, especially fog.
Fog interference in optical transmission is similar to rain fading in radio transmission, a well-known
phenomenon. The fading is the result of scattering of the beam as it encounters particles in the
atmosphere, and is a combination of two primary processes, Rayleigh and Mie scattering.
Rayleigh scattering results from particles less than about one-tenth of a wavelength and mainly
consists of scattering off the surfaces of particles in the air. Rayleigh scattering is highly wavelengthdependent. It is the phenomenon that causes the sky to appear blue because blue light is scattered
around four times as much as red light, and the refracted blue light makes the sky look blue to an
observer. Rayleigh scattering due to rain is commonly the dominant process responsible for signal
fading at radio wavelengths, but has very little effect at FSO wavelengths. Raindrops are typically
about 0.5 to 3 mm in diameter, and radio signals, especially high-frequency GHz signals, with
wavelengths in the millimeter to centimeter range, are susceptible to rain fading by Rayleigh
scattering. The wavelengths of FSO signals, on the order of 0.001 mm, are too short to be much
affected by Rayleigh scattering.
Fog interference
Mie scattering is the predominant process responsible for fog interference at FSO wavelengths. Mie
scattering is caused by particles of a similar size or larger than a given wavelength, and is less
wavelength-dependent than Rayleigh scattering. Mie scattering is the reason clouds and fog appear
white, because all wavelengths of visible light are equally scattered by the moisture particles of the
cloud. FSO signals, which are relatively close to the wavelength of visible light, are scattered by fog
in exactly the same manner. FSO wavelengths are much smaller than raindrops and pass through
relatively unaffected. FSO signals are unfortunately close enough to the size of fog particles, which
range from 0.01 to 0.05 mm, to be significantly scattered by Mie scattering. Heavy fog can reduce
the signal by up to about 300 dB/km.
Dealing with fog, however, is a relatively straightforward matter. Transmitted power is maximized, up
to the limits of eye safety, and link lengths are designed for a specified level of availability,
considering the local fog statistics. High-performance micro-optics at the diode can be used to
correct for aberrations and astigmatism, optimizing the output beam quality for greater fogpenetrating power.
Beam alignment problems are dealt with by the divergence of the optical beam, which results in
beam diameters on the order of tens of centimeters over common link lengths. With the receiver
centered in the beam, most movement is passively accommodated. In applications where movement
exceeds what beam divergence can accommodate, an active alignment system can maintain
connectivity. Objects such as birds passing through the optical path usually only block the beam for
a few milliseconds. This can have the effect of momentarily slowing down the data rate, but it will not
normally cause the connection to drop out.
1.
Free Space Optical Communication (FSO) Supervised by: Prof. Magdy Ibrahim Prepared by:
Ahmed Ashraf Abdel-Haseb Ahmed-Houssam Mahmoud Ahmed Magdy El-Sayed Amr Atef Hussein
Mohamed Khaled Abo-Seif
2.
Free Space Optical Communication (FSO) Supervised by: Prof. Magdy Ibrahim Prepared by:
Ahmed Ashraf Abdel-Haseb Ahmed-Houssam Mahmoud Ahmed Magdy El-Sayed Amr Atef Hussein
Mohamed Khaled Abo-Seif
3.
Outlines Introduction [1] Free Space Optical Link Design [2] Applications [3] FSO vs. Fiber
vs. Microwave Links
4.
Outlines Introduction [1] Free Space Optical Link Design [2] Applications [3] FSO vs. Fiber
vs. Microwave Links
5.
6.
7.
Introduction Operation of FSO Uses To cross a public road or other barriers which the
sender and receiver do not own. For communications between spacecraft. Speedy service
delivery of high-bandwidth access to optical fiber networks. Advantages and Disadvantages
Security Aspects Safety Aspects
8.
Advantages License-free operation. High bit rates. Low bit error rates. Immunity to
electromagnetic interference. Security. Easiness and speed of installation. Security Aspects
Safety AspectsIntroduction Operation of FSO Uses Advantages and Disadvantages
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Outlines Introduction [1] Free Space Optical Link Design [2] Applications [3] FSO vs. Fiber
vs. Microwave Links
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Free Space Optical Link Design FSO Subsystems FSO Link Equation and Link Budget
Theoretical Range Limit BER, Data Rate, and Range
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Free Space Optical Link Design FSO Subsystems 1. Transmitter 2. Receiver 3. Tracking
System FSO Link Equation and Link Budget Theoretical Range Limit BER, Data Rate, and Range
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Free Space Optical Link Design FSO Subsystems 1. Transmitter 2. Receiver 3. Tracking
System Requirements: Tracking Frequency, Resolution, Speed, etc. FSO Link Equation and
Link Budget Theoretical Range Limit BER, Data Rate, and Range
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Free Space Optical Link Design FSO Subsystems FSO Link Equation and Link Budget
Theoretical Range Limit BER, Data Rate, and Range.
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Outlines Introduction [1] Free Space Optical Link Design [2] Applications [3] FSO vs. Fiber
vs. Microwave Links
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Point to Point FSO Systems Mesh FSO
SystemsFSO on HAPs (Future Application)
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Point to Point FSO Systems Mesh FSO
SystemsFSO on HAPs (Future Application)
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Applications 3 A receiver at the other end of 2 Transmitter projects the the link collects the
light using carefully aimed light pulses lenses and/or mirrors into the air 5 Reverse direction data
transported the same way. Full duplex1 Network traffic 4 Received signal converted into converted
back into pulses of fiber or copper and invisible light connected to the representing 1s network and
0s Anything that can be done in fiber can be done with FSO
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Ring FSO Systems Mesh FSO SystemsFSO on
HAPs (Future Application)
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Nodes of a mesh - FSO topology on fl at terrain but with nodes at different heights.
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Ring FSO Systems Mesh FSO Systems
Advantages The best network and service protection Very high data rates Scalability and
expandabilityFSO on HAPs (Future Application)
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Ring FSO Systems Mesh FSO Systems
Disadvantages The complexity of each node in the mesh topology. High CostFSO on HAPs
(Future Application)
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Ring FSO Systems Mesh FSO SystemsFSO on
HAPs (Future Application) Use on high altitude platforms (HAPs), (20 30 Km). Estimated Range:
more than 600km. .
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ApplicationsFree Space Optical Networks Ring FSO Systems Mesh FSO SystemsFSO on
HAPs (Future Application) Advantages: Stratospheric Conditions. Low attenuation, no cloud
interference, low tempretureetc. Cost Effective (Compared to Satellites) FSO Advantages High
Data rate, Low Power Consumption etc. .
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Outlines Introduction [1] Free Space Optical Link Design [2] Applications [3] FSO vs. Fiber
vs. Microwave Links
32.
FSO vs. Fiber vs. Microwave Links Criteria FSO Optical Fiber Microwave Data rate Up to 10
Gbps 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps 275 Mbps Installation Easy Difficult Moderate Cost Moderate High
ModerateMaintenance low High lowMost common Between buildings Point-to point Point-to-point
uses Short distance Long distance Short distance Advantages Price Security speed performance
capacity and speed No license Immunity to EMIDisadvantages Can be intercepted Difficult to splice
Can be intercepted determinate Requires radio license Security Moderate Excellent Poor
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