A Technical Seminar

Report on

Submitted
In the partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for the award of the Degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
In
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

By

KORE JAYANTH
18W91A0402

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERING
MALLAREDDY INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(Approved by A.I.C.T.E. - New Delhi, Affiliated to J.N.T.U. - Hyderabad)
Maisammaguda, Dhulapally (Post via Hakim pet)-500100.
2021-2022
 Malla Reddy Institute of Engineering & Technology
(Sponsored by Malla Reddy Educational Society)
ISO 9001-2008 Certified institution, Affiliated to JNTU, Hyderabad
Maisammaguda, Dhulapally (Post via Hakimpet), Secunderabad - 500100.

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Seminar work entitled” FREE SPACE OPTICS” that is beingsubmitted by
KORE JAYANTH(18W91A0402) in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelors of Technology
in ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING from MALLA

REDDY INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING &

TECHNOLOGY during the academic year 2021-2022.

Academic Coordinator Head of the Department

Dr. Zeeshan Vakil Dr. Y. Rajasree Rao

Department of ECE Department of ECE
MRIET MRIET
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I express my profound thanks to our Principal, Dr. M. ASHOK,Ph.D. for extending all
the college facilitiesfor the completion of the seminar.

I would like to thank Dr. Y. Rajasree Rao,Ph.D, Professor and Head of the Department
of Electronics and Communication Engineering, for his constant encouragement and
moral support.

I would like to thank my academics coordinator Dr. Zeeshan Vakil, Ph.D. Professor
for their constant guidance and inspiring words.

I sincerely thank all the staff of the department for their timely suggestions, healthy
criticism and motivationduring the course of my study. I would also like to thank my
friends for always being there to provide required help and support. With great respect
and affection, I thank my parents who are the backbone behindmy deeds.

Finally, I express gratitude with pleasure to one and all who have either directly or
indirectly contributed tomy need at the right times for the development and execution
of the seminar work.

KORE JAYANTH 18W91A0402

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

ABSTRACT

Free space optics (FSO) is a line-of-sight technology that currently enables

optical transmission up to 2.5 Gbps of data, voice, and video communications
through the air, allowing optical connectivity without deploying fiber optic
cables or securing spectrum licenses. FSO system can carry full duplex data at
giga bits per second rates over Metropolitan distances of a few city blocks of
few kms. FSO, also known as optical wireless, overcomes this last-mile access
bottleneck by sending high bit rate signals through the air using laser
transmission.

In the transmitting section, the data is given to the modulator for modulating
signal and the driver is for activating the laser. In the receiver section the optical
signal is detected and it is converted to electrical signal, preamplifier is used to
amplify the signal and then given to demodulator forgetting original signal.
Tracking system which determines the path of the beam and there is special
detector (CCD, CMOS) for detecting the signal and given to pre amplifier. The
servo system is used for controlling system, the signal coming from the path to
the processor and compares with the Modulator Driver Laser Transmit optic Data
in Demodulator preamplifier detector Receive optic Data out preamplifier Special
detector Tracking optic Processor Servo systems Environmental condition
environmental condition, if there is any change in the signal then the servo
system is used to correct the signal

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 FREE SPACE OPTICS

CONTENT
TITLE PAGE NO
ABSTRACT ii
CONTENT iii
LIST OF FIGURES v
LIST OF TABLES v
INTRODUCTION 1
WHAT IS FSO 2
SURVEY 4
WHY FSO 5
METHOD OF OPERATION 6
BEAM DIVERGENCE 8
SYSTEM DESIGN 9
TRANSMITTER TYPE 9
TRANSMITTER POWER 9
BEAM DIVERGENCE 10
RECEIVER DIODE TYPE AND CHARACTERISTICSE 10
FREE SPACE OPTICS ISSUES 11
WHICH WAVELENGTH 12
EYE SAFETY 12
ATMOSPHERIC ATTENUATION 12
NETWORK PROTOCOL TRANSPARENT OR MANAGED 13

PERFORMANCE TRANSMIT POWER RECEIVER 13

SENSITIVITY

COMPARISON BETWEEN RF FSO AND OPTICALFIBER 15

FREE SPACE OPTICS ADVANTAGES 16

ULTRA HIGH BANDWIDTH 16
RAPIDDEPLOYMENTTIME 16

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 FREE SPACE OPTICS
SECURITY 16
RELIABILITY 17
EQUIPMENT 17
FREE SPACE OPTICS CHALLENGES 18
FOG AND FREE SPACE OPTICS 18
PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTION AND FREE SPACE OPTICS 18

FREE SPACE OPTICS POINTING STABILITY 19

BULDING SWAY, TOWER MOVEMENT 19
SCINTILLATION AND FREE SPACE OPTICS 19
SOLAR INTERFERENCE AND FREE SPACE OPTICS 19

FSO APPLICATIONS 20
CAMPUS APPLICATIONS 20
EXTENDING A FIBER NETWORK APPLICATIONS 21
LOCAL LOOP BYPASS APPLICATIONS 22
BACKHAUL APPLICATIONS 23
DISASTER RECOVERY APPLICATION 24
LAST MILE APPLICATION 24
HOW FREE SPACE OPTICS CAN HELP YOU 25
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF FSO 25
SHORT DISTANCE COMMUNICATION USING FSO 26
FSO IN SPACE APPLICATION 28
DEEP SEA COMMUNICATION USING FSO 30
REFERENCES 33

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

NUMBER NUMBER
METHOD OF 12
01 OPERATION
CAMPUS 26
02 APPLICATION
FIBER 27
03 NETWORK
APPLICATION
LOCAL LOOP 28
04 BYPASS
APPLICATION
WIRELESS 29
05 BACKHAUL
ELECTRONIC 32
06 CHIP
NETWORK OF 34
07 FREE SPACE
OPTICAL
CHANNELS
LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

NUMBE NUMBE
R R
01 COMPARISO 18
N BETWEEN
RF FSO AND
OPTICAL
FIBER

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

Mention optical communication and most people think of fiber optics. Butlight
travels through air for a lot less money. So it is hardly a surprise that clever
entrepreneurs and technologists are borrowing many of the devices and
techniques developed for fiberoptic systems and applying them to what some
call fiber-free optical communication. Although it only recently, and rather
suddenly, sprang into public awareness, free-space optics is not a new idea. It
has roots that go back over 30 years--to the era before fiber optic cable became
the preferred transport medium for high-speed communication. In those days,
the notion that FSO systems could provide high-speed connectivity over short
distances seemed futuristic, to say the least. But research done at that time has
made possible today's free-space optical systems, which can carry full-duplex
(simultaneous bidirectional) data at gigabit-per-second rates over metropolitan
distances of afew city blocks to a few kilometers.
FSO first appeared in the 60's, for military applications. At the end of80's,
it appeared as a commercial option but technological restrictions preventedit
from success. Low reach transmission, low capacity, severe alignment problems
as well as vulnerability to weather interferences were the major drawbacks at
that time. The optical communication without wire, however, evolved! Today,
FSO systems guarantee 2.5 Gb/s taxes with carrier class availability.
Metropolitan, access and LAN networks are reaping the benefits. FSO success
can be measured by its market numbers: forecasts predict it will reach a USS 2.5
billion market by 2006.
The use of free space optics is particularly interesting when we perceive that the
majority of customers does not possess access to fibers as well as fiber
installation is expensive and demands long time. Moreover, right-of-way costs,
difficulties in obtaining government licenses for new fiber installation etc. are
further problems that have turned FSO into the option of choice for short reach
applications.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

FSO uses lasers, or light pulses, to send packetized data in the terahertz (THz)
spectrum range. Air, or fiber is the transport medium. This means that urban
businesses needing fast data and Internet access have a significantly lower- cost
option. An FSO system for local loop access comprises several laser terminals,
each one residing at a network node to create a single, point-to-point link; an
optical mesh architecture; or a star topology, which is usually point-to-
multipoint. These laser terminals, or nodes, are installed on top of customers'
rooftops or inside a window to complete the last-mile connection. Signals are
beamed to and from hubs or central nodes throughout a city or urban area. Each
node requires a Line-Of-Sight (LOS) view of the hub.

WHAT IS FSO?

FSO technology is implemented using laser device . These laser devices or

terminals can be mounted on rooftops, Corners of buildings or even inside
officesbehind windows. FSO devices look like security video cameras. Low-
power infrared beams, which do not harm the eyes, are the means by which
Free-space optics technology transmits data through the air between
transceivers, or link heads, mounted on rooftops or behind windows. It works
over distances ofseveral hundred meters to a few kilometers, depending upon
atmospheric conditions.
Commercially available free-space optics equipment provides data rates much
higher than digital subscriber lines or coaxial cables can ever hope to offer. And
systems even faster than the present range of 10 Mb/s to 1.25 Gb/s have been
announced, though not yet delivered.
Generally the equipment works at one of two wavelengths: 850 nm or 1550 nm.
Lasers for 850 nm are much less expensive (around $30 versus more than $1000)
and are therefore favored for applications over moderate distances. But a 1550
nm lasers are also used. The main reasons revolve around power, distance, and
eye

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

retina of the eye, being mostly absorbed by the cornea. Regulations accordingly
allow these longer-wavelength beams to operate at higher power than the 850-
nmbeams, by about two orders of magnitude. That power increase can boost link
lengths by a factor of at least five while maintaining adequate signal strength for
proper link operation. Alternatively, it can boost data rate considerably over the
same length of link. So for high data rates, long distances, poor propagation
conditions (like fog), or combinations of those conditions, 1550 nm can become
quite attractive.
As the differences in laser prices suggest, such systems are quite a bit more
expensive than 850-nm links. An 850-nm transceiver can cost as little as
$5000 (for a 10-100-Mb/s unit spanning a few hundred meters), while a 1550-
nm unit can go for $50 000(for gigabit-per-second setups encompassing a
kilometer or two).
Air fibre, a major FSO vendor, says it can get a link up and running within two
to three days at one-third to one-tenth the cost of fiber (about $20,000 per
building). FSO is not only cost-effective and easy to deploy but also fast. The
technology is not for everyone. A major reason companies might not adopt
FSO is its confinement to urban areas. FSO deployments must be located
relatively close to big hubs, which means only customers in major cities will be
eligible-at least initially. Businesses in more remote locations are out of luck,
unless a provider sets up hubs in their area, which seems like a distant reality
right now.
When fiber was compared with free-space optics, deployment costs for service
to the three buildings worked out to $396 500 versus $59 000, respectively.
Thefiber cost was calculated on a need for 1220 meters: 530 meters of trunk fiber
from the CLEC's central office to its hub in the office park plus an average of
230meters of feeder fiber for each of the runs from the hub to a target building,
all at
$325 per meter. Free-space optics is calculated as $18 000 for free-space optics
equipment per building and $5000 for installation. Supposing a 15 percent
annualrevenue increase for future sales and customer acquisition.
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FREE SPACE OPTICS
SURVEY

The next generation (NG) optical technologies will unveil certain unique
features, namely ultra-high data rate, broadband multiple services,
scalable bandwidth, and flexible communications for manifold end-users.
Among the optical technologies, free space optical (FSO) technology is a
key element to achieve free space data transmission according to the
requirements of the future technologies, which is due to its cost effective,
easy deployment, high bandwidth enabler, and high secured. In this article,
we give the overview of the recent progress on FSO technology and the
factors that will lead the technology towards ubiquitous application. As
part of the review, we provided fundamental concepts across all types of
FSO system, including system architecture comprising of single beam and
multiple beams. The review is further expanded into the investigation of
rain and haze effects toward FSO signal propagation. The final objective
that we cover is the scalability of an FSO network via the implementations
of hybrid multi-beam FSO system with wavelength division multiplexing
(WDM) technology.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
WHY FSO?

The increasing demand for high bandwidth in metro networks is relentless, and
service providers' pursuit of a range of applications, including metro network
extension, enterprise LAN-to-LAN connectivity, wireless backhaul and LMDS
supplement has created an imbalance. This imbalance is often referred to as the
"last mile bottleneck." Service providers are faced withthe need to turn up
services quickly and cost-effectively at a time when capital expenditures are
constrained. But the last mile bottleneck is only part of a larger problem. Similar
issues exist in other parts of the metro networks. "Connectivity bottleneck" better
addresses the core dilemma. As any network planner will tell you, the
connectivity bottleneck is everywhere in metro networks.
From a technology standpoint, there are several options to address this
"connectivity bottleneck," but most don't make economic sense.
The first, most obvious choice is fiber-optic cable. Without a doubt, fiber is the
most reliable means of providing optical communications. But the digging,
delays and associated costs to lay fiber often make it economically prohibitive.
Moreover, once fiber is deployed, it becomes a "sunk" cost and cannot be re-
deployed if a customer relocates or switches to a competing service provider,
making it extremely difficult to recover the investment in a reasonable
timeframe.
Another option is radio frequency (RF) technology. RF is a mature technology
that offers longer ranges distances than FSO, but RF-based networks require
immense capital investments to acquire spectrum license. Yet, RF technologies
cannot scale to optical capacities of 2.5 gigabits. The current RF bandwidth
ceiling is 622 megabits. When compared to FSO, RF does not make economic
sense for service providers looking to extend optical networks.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

The third alternative is wire- and copper-based technologies, (i.e. cable modem,
T1s or DSL). Although copper infrastructure is available almost everywhere and
the percentage of buildings connected to copper is much higher than fiber, it is
still not a viable alternative for solving the connectivity bottleneck. The biggest
hurdle is bandwidth scalability. Copper technologies mayease some short-term
pain, but the bandwidth limitations of 2 megabits to 3 megabits make them a
marginal solution, even on a good day.
The fourth-and often most viable-alternative is FSO. The technology is an
optimal solution, given its optical base, bandwidth scalability, speed of
deployment (hours versus weeks or months), re-deployment and portability, and
cost-effectiveness (on average, one-fifth the cost of installing fiber-optic cable).

Only 5 percent of the buildings in the United States are connected to fiber-optic
infrastructure (backbone), yet 75 percent are within one mile of fiber. As
bandwidth demands increase and businesses turn to high-speed LANs, it
becomes more frustrating to be connected to the outside world through lower-
speed connections such as DSL, cable modems or T1s. Most of the recent
trenching to lay fiber has been to improve the metro core (backbone), while the
metro access and edge have completely been ignored. Studies show that
disconnects occurs in the metro network core, primarily due to cost constraints
and the deployment of such non-scalable, non-optical technologies such as
LMDS. Metro optical networks have not yet delivered on their promise. High
capacity at affordable prices still eludes the ultimate end-user

METHOD OF OPERATION

FSO systems operate very much like a fiber optic connection using a cable. The
main difference being the attenuation in a cable is known and controllable,
whereas in a FSO link that uses the atmosphere as the media, the exact
attenuation of the link can

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

device known as a laser diode is used to produce a signal in the first part of the
nearinfrared range, which is just above visible light at 700 nanometers or nm.
The mostcommon wavelengths used are 780 nm to 900 nm and 1500 to 1600
nm. The laserdiode differs from the traditional laser in that it is simpler,
smaller, and lowerpowered. The device on the other end that receives the
signal is a photodiode. Atransceiver has both devices so that the units can send
and receive, either a LED –Light Emitting Diode or semiconductor laser can be
used to generate the signal LEDs are used for low data rate applications as the
beam is not as precise as thelaser beam. These operate in the 700 to 900 nm
range whereas, Semiconductorlaser based systems can operate at short or long
wavelengths. A laser can produce amore coherent beam which allows longer
distances to be connected. A laser canalso cycle on and off faster than an LED,
which produces higher data rates.Regardless, the beam between the two units
is transmitted as a narrow infraredlight beam. A telescope consisting of either
lenses or a mirror is used to narrow anddirect the beam produced by the LED
or laser. This beam is conical in shape anddiverges from one side of the link
to the other. The amount of beam spreading isdetermined by the size of the
transmitting lens. A typical FSO transmitter willgenerate a beam from 5 to
8 cm in diameter. At the other end of the link typicalbeam diameters at one
kilometer range from 1 meter to 6 meters, depending on the type of beam
alignment system used.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

BEAM DIVERGENCE

The ability of the unit to receive this beam is determined by the optical receiver
sensitivity and the size of the receiving lens which focuses the beam on a photo
detector. Beam divergence angles or spreading of the signal is typically
expressed as a milli radiant value
The conversion is
• 1radiant or rad = 57.3 degrees
• 1 milli radiant or m rad = 0.0573 degrees
A FSO system operates at layer 1 of the OSI model as a wireless repeater.
Therefore, it can carry any of the higher layer protocols. In these systems, when
they are sending data, the logical one is represented by a narrow pulse of optical
energy and the logical zero by no energy

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
CHAPTER-2

SYSTEM DESIGN

Let’s switch now to a more detailed discussion of the design of these systems
and the parts used to create a laser beam that will carry information through the
open air. The important design considerations include
• Transmitter type
• Transmitting power
• Beam divergence
• Receiver diode type and characteristics

TRANSMITTER TYPE

for longer wavelengths. For wavelengths around 850 nm a VCSEL – Vertical

Cavity Surface Emitting Laser is used. VCSELS are lower in cost, but with
excellent performance as for longer wavelengths. For wavelengths around 850
nm a VCSEL – Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser is used. VCSELS are
lower in cost, but with excellent performance as compared to FP and DFB lasers.

TRANSMITTER POWER

The power of the transmitting device is the next system design consideration. In
general the higher the power the longer and more stable the link, but at a higher
cost. But, due to safety considerations, the amount of power that can be used is
restricted, as discussed below FSO beams can damage the eye. There are
constant arguments concerning the best wavelength to use as longer wavelengths
do not damage the eye therefore, they can use higher transmitter power. In
practice, the exact wavelength used does not matter

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

BEAM DIVERGENCE

Beam divergence is a function of the transmitting lens. A more focused beam is

desired, but this means a higher cost for the transmitting unit. The diameter of
the receiver must be matched to the beam being transmitted. The larger the
diameterthe better the receiving unit is in maintaining a link as the building
moves or the atmosphere alters the path of the transmitted beam

RECIEVER DIODE TYPE AND CHARACTERISTICS

The type of diode used makes a difference in both performance and cost. A
photodiode is used to convert the incoming light signal into an electrical
signal, two types of detectors are used, Si and InGaAs. Si or sodium based
detectors are used at the shorter wavelengths. For the longer wavelengths
InGaAs profile tailored so that an intrinsic layer or i region is sandwiched
between a player and an n layer. These type of detectors are not as sensitive
as the APD APD - Avalanche Photo Diodes provide 100 times the level of
sensitivity andgreater speed than PIN diodes, regardless of the type of
detector device used, the more sensitive the detector is the better. Greater
sensitivity will allow amarginal signal to be read. Higher receiver sensitivity
is desirable to read inthe transmitted signal, but always at a higher cost

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
CHAPTER-3

FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) ISSUES

Free space optical communications is now established as a viable approach for

addressing the emerging broadband access market and its “last mile”
bottleneck. These robust systems, which establish communication links by
transmitting laser beams directly through the atmosphere, have matured to the
point that mass-produced models are now available. Optical wireless systems
offer many features, principal among them being low start- up and operational
costs, rapid deployment, and high fiber-like bandwidths. These systems are
compatible with a wide range of applications and markets, and they are
sufficiently flexible as to be easily implemented using a varietyof different
architectures. Because of these features, market projections indicate healthy
growth for optical wireless sales. Although simple to deploy, optical wireless
transceivers are sophisticated devices.

The many sub-systems require a multi-faceted approach to system engineering

that balances the variables to produce the optimum mix. A working
knowledge of the issues faced by an optical wireless system engineer
provides a foundation for understanding the differences between the various
systems available. The different elements considered by the system engineer
when designing the product are discussed below.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

WHICH WAVELENGTH?

Currently available Free Space Optics (FSO) hardware can be classified into
two categories depending on the operating wavelength – systems that operate
near 800 nm and those that operate near 1550 nm. Thereare compelling
reasons for selecting 1550 nm Free Space Optics (FSO) systems due to laser
eye safety, reduced solar background radiation, and compatibility with existing
technology infrastructure. However the near 800nm technology is very cheap
and hence it is used for small distance communication.

EYE-SAFETY

Laser beams with wavelengths in the range of 400 to 1400 nm emitlight

that passes through the cornea and lens and is focused onto a tiny spoton
the retina while wavelengths above 1400 nm are absorbed by the cornea and
lens, and do not focus onto the retina. It is possible to design eye-safe laser
transmitters at both the 800 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths but the allowable
safe laser power is about fifty times higher at 1550 nm. This factorof fifty is
important as it provides up to 17 dB additional margin, allowingthe system
to propagate over longer distances, through heavier attenuation, and to
support higher data rates.

ATMOSPHERIC ATTENUATION
Carrier-class Free Space Optics (FSO) systems must be designed to
accommodate heavy atmospheric attenuation, particularly by fog. Although
longer wavelengths are favored in haze and light fog, under conditions of
very low visibility this long-wavelength advantage does not apply. However,
the fact that 1550 nm-based systems are allowed to transmit up to 50 times
more eye-safe power will translate into superior penetration of fog or any
other atmospheric attenuator.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

NETWORKPROTOCOL TRANSPARENT
OR MANAGED?
For carriers today the issue of interoperability of systems within their multi-
faceted networks made up of both legacy and next generation networksis
crucial. Most Free Space Optics (FSO) systems currently available are physical
layer devices that act the same way as fiber optic cables and receivers and
are therefore able to work with all protocols while not beinglimited to any of
them. There are systems on the market that incorporate ATM into the device
but most designers of Free Space Optics (FSO) systemshave opted for a
protocol ‘transparent’ approach for both deployment flexibility and cost-
reduction. Should a carrier wish to add such switching functionality to networks
incorporating physical layer products there are many switches available on
the market, all of which will interoperate with a physical layer device.

PERFORMANCETRANSMITPOWER&
RECEIVER SENSITIVITY

Free Space Optics (FSO) products performance can be characterizedby four

main parameters (for a given data rate):

• Total transmitted power

• Transmitting beamwidth
• Receiving optics collecting area
• Receiver sensitivity

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

A figure of merit (FOM) can be used to compare competing systems,based

on the basic physics of this equation:
Figure of Merit =
(Power*Diameter2)/ (Divergence2*Sensitivity);
Where
Power=Laser power in milliwatts
Diameter = effective diameter in cm (excluding any obscuration losses)
Divergence = beam divergence in milliard
Sensitivity = receiver sensitivity in nanowatts

High transmitted power may be achieved by using erbium doped fiber

amplifiers, or by non-coherently combining multiple lower cost
semiconductor lasers. Narrow transmitting beam width (a.k.a. high antenna
gain) can be achieved on a limited basis for fixed-pointed units, with the
minimum beam width large enough to accommodate building sway and wind
loading. Much narrower beams can be achieved with an actively pointed
system, which includes an angle tracker and fast steering mirror (or
gimbals). Ideally the angle tracker operates on the communication beam, so
no separate tracking beacon is required. Larger receiving optics captures a
larger fraction of the total transmitted power, up to terminal cost, volume
and weight limitations. And high receiver sensitivity can be achieved by
using small, low-capacitance photo detectors, circuitry which compensates
for detector capacitance, or using detectors with internal gain mechanisms,
such as APDs. APD receivers can provide 5-10 dB improvement over PIN
detectors, albeit with increased parts cost and a more complex high voltage
bias circuit. These four parameters allow links to travel over longer distance,
penetrate lower visibility fog, or both.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

In addition, Free Space Optics (FSO) receivers must be designed to be

tolerant to scintillation, i.e. have rapid response to changing signal levels
and high dynamic range in the front end, so that the fluctuations can be
removed in the later stage limiting amplifier or AGC. Poorly designed Free
Space Optics (FSO) receivers may have a constant background error rate
dueto scintillation, rather than perfect zero error performance.

COMPARISON BETWEEN RF FSO AND OPTICAL FIBER:

Communication Free space optics RF wireless Optical fiber

technology

Bandwidth 9.6 Gbps 622 Mbps 40 Gbps

Deployment 5-50K 5-50K Very high

concerns Fog absorption Rain and fading Very reliable

Distance in miles 1.24 3-12.42 7-12.42

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
CHAPTER-3

FREESPACE OPTICS (FSO)

ADVANTAGES

ULTRA HIGH BANDWIDTH:

The laser systems operate in the terahertz frequency spectrum and usually
operate in the 194 THz or 375 THz range. Their performance is comparable to
the best fiber optic system available; giving speeds between 622 Mbps and 1.25
Gbps. This technology uses devices and techniques developed for fiber optic
systems.

RAPID DEPLOYMENT TIME:

Installing a FSO system can be done in a matter of days even faster if the gear
can be placed in offices behind windows instead of on rooftops. A fibre based
competitor has to seek municipal approval to dig up a street to lay its cable.
Unlike most of the lower frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the
part above 300 GHz is unlicensed worldwide. So no extra time is needed to
obtain right-of-way permits or trench up the streets or to obtain FCC frequency
licenses.

SECURITY:

• FSO is far more secure than RF or other wireless-based transmission

technologies for several reasons:

• Laser beams cannot be detected with spectrum analyzers or RF meters

• Laser transmissions travel along a line of sight path that cannot be
• intercepted easily. It requires a matching transceiver carefully aligned to
complete the transmission. Interception is very difficult and extremely
unlikely

• The laser beams are narrow and invisible, making them harder to findand
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FREE SPACE OPTICS
even harder to intercept and crack
• Data can be transmitted over an encrypted connection adding to thedegree of
security available in FSO network transmissions

RELIABILITY:

Employing an adaptive laser power (Adaptive Power Control or APC) scheme

to dynamically adjust the laser power in response to weather conditions
will wireless systems. In clear weather the transmit power is greatly reduced,
enhancing the laser lifetime by operating the laser at very low-stress
conditions. In severe weather, the laser power is increased as needed to
maintain the optical link - then decreased again as the weather clears. A TEC
controller that maintains the temperature of the laser transmitter diodes in the
optimum region will maximize reliability and lifetime, consistent with power
output allowing the FSO optical wireless system to operate more efficiently
and reliably at higher power levels.

EQUIPMENT:
• Only a few pieces of equipment are required to create a FSO link

• All the parts are mounted together within a few feet of each other

• The outdoor equipment consists of

• Main FSO unit to generate the beam

• Outdoor box to convert the signal from the LAN to the FSO unit,control the
unit, and manage the connection

• Cables, which can be fiber optic or UTP, used to connect the FSOequipment
to the local area network

• Electrical power to the FSO outdoor unit using an exterior electricaloutlet or

power over Ethernet

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
FREESPACE OPTICS (FSO) CHALLENGES

The advantages of free space optical wireless or Free Space Optics (FSO) do
not come without some cost. When light is transmitted through optical fiber,
transmission integrity is quite predictable – barring unforeseen events such as
backhoes or animal interference. When light is transmitted through the air, as
with Free Space Optics (FSO) optical wireless systems, it must contend with a
complex and not always quantifiable subject - the atmosphere.

FOG AND FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO)

Fog substantially attenuates visible radiation, and it has a similar affect on

the near-infrared wavelengths that are employed in Free Space Optics (FSO)
systems. Note that the effect of fog on Free Space Optics (FSO) optical
wireless radiation is entirely analogous to the attenuation – and fades –
suffered by RF wireless systems due to rainfall. Similar to the case of rain
attenuation with RF wireless, fog attenuation is not a “show- stopper” for Free
Space Optics (FSO) optical wireless, because the optical link can be
engineered such that, for a large fraction of the time, an acceptable power
will be received even in the presence of heavy fog. Free Space Optics (FSO)
optical wireless-based communication systems can be enhanced to yield even
greater availbilities.

PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS A N D FSO

Free Space Optics (FSO) products which have widely spaced redundant
transmitters and large receive optics will all but eliminate interference
concerns from objects such as birds. On a typical day, an object covering 98%
of the receive aperture and all but 1 transmitter; will not causean Free Space
Optics (FSO) link to drop out. Thus birds are unlikely to have any impact on
Free Space Optics (FSO) transmission.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
FSO POINTING STABILITY BUILDINGS
WAY, TOWER MOVEMENT

Fixed pointed Free Space Optics (FSO) systems are designed to be capable of
handling the vast majority of movement found in deployments on buildings. The
combination of effective beam divergence and a well matched receive Field-of-
View (FOV) provide for an extremely robust fixed pointed Free Space Optics
(FSO) system suitable for most deployments. Fixed- pointed Free Space
Optics (FSO) systems are generally preferred over actively-tracked Free Space
Optics (FSO) systems due to their lower cost.

SCINTILLATION AND FREE SPACE

OPTICS

Performance of many Free Space Optics (FSO) optical wireless systems is

adversely affected by scintillation on bright sunny days; the effects of which
are typically reflected in BER statistics. Some optical wireless products have
a unique combination of large aperture receiver, widely spaced transmitters,
finely tuned receive filtering, and automatic gain control characteristics. In
addition, certain optical wireless systems alsoapply a clock recovery phase-
lock-loop time constant that all but eliminate the affects of atmospheric
scintillation and jitter transference.
SOLAR INTERFERENCE AND FSO
Solar interference in Free Space Optics (FSO) free space optical systems
operating at 1550 nm can be combated in two ways. The first is a long-
passoptical filter window used to block all optical wavelengths below 850
nm from entering the system .The second is an optical narrow band system
filter proceeding the receiver detector used to filter all the but the wave ;length
actually used for inter system communications

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FREE SPACE OPTICS
CHAPTER-4
FSO APPLICATIONS
Typical applications for FSO include
• Connecting sites in a campus setting
• Extending a fiber optic cable network to nearby buildings
• Local loop bypass
• Backhaul
• Disaster recovery
• Last Mile

CAMPUSAPPLICATION
The most common use of FSO is in connecting buildings within a campus
area network. These buildings are typically well within the range where laser
based signals are highly reliable.
• The reasons for using FSO in this type of application include
• Create a temporary connection, such as during construction or for an
exhibition

• Avoid the time, expense, and right-of-way issues of digging inorder to use
fiber

• Avoid interference from nearby radio frequency signals or highlevels of EMI or

RFI in a factory

• Avoid generating radio signals, such as near an airport

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

EXTENDING A FIBER NETWORK APPLICATION

Extending the reach of a fiber network is a new use for FSO. In this case
an
existing area fiber optic cable extend
metropo installation is ed to
litan

buildings that are not directly served by the fiber in the ground. From one
ormore buildings on the loop, connections are made to buildings not on the
loop This is done not by burying more fiber, but through the air.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

LOCAL LOOP BYPASS APPLICATION

Bypassing the local loop is also a new use for FSO links. In this application,
rather than connecting via copper or fiber to the incumbent carrier, any
nearbypoint of presence for a competing provider can be reached. This is without
the requirement to rent access from the incumbent carrier. In areas where
more than one carrier is within range, this allows competition in the last mile

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

BACKHAUL APPLICATION
When used as a backhaul connection the FSO link connects a remote
antennasite, such as a cellular telephone network tower, back to a central
location where the connection to the wired telecommunications network is
made. This
is done when a wired data communications circuit either cannot be made
to
the remote antenna tower or it is too costly to do so. Another reason might
beto avoid radio frequency interference at either site.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

DISASTER RECOVERY APPLICATION

Unlike the previous examples, in this application the FSO equipment is not
deployed until needed and hopefully it will never be needed as this use is for
when the main telecommunication system is down, for example, after the 2001
terrorist attack in New York city destroyed the main telecommunications
hub in the area, several business were able to get back online by connecting
via FSO links to areas of the city that were unaffected. When used in this
manner the usual equipment as discussed below can be deployed on a
temporary basis or a kit kept in a case as shown next can be stored. Of course
this assumes the undamaged area is within the distance limits for a FSO link

LAST MILE APPLICATION

A new application that is being promoted by companies such as Omnilux is to
deliver
of delivering service to a group of end users. This is in contrast to the
moretypical point-to-point single customer links. A lower cost product can then
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FREE SPACE OPTICS

CHAPTER-5

HOWFREE SPACE OPTICS CAN

HELP YOU

FSO’s freedom from licensing and regulation translates into ease, speed and
low cost of deployment. Since Free Space Optics (FSO) transceivers can
transmit and receive through windows, it is possible to mount Free Space
Optics (FSO) systems inside buildings, reducing the needto compete for roof
space, simplifying wiring and cabling, and permitting Free Space Optics
(FSO) equipment to operate in a very favorable environment. The only
essential requirement for Free Space Optics (FSO) or optical wireless
transmission is line of sight between the two ends of the link.

For Metro Area Network (MAN) providers the last mile or even feetcan be
the most daunting. Free Space Optics (FSO) networks can close this gap and
allow new customer’s access to high-speed MAN’s. Providers alsocan take
advantage of the reduced risk of installing a Free Space Optics (FSO)
network which can later be redeployed.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF FSO

➢ Short distance communication Using FSO:

The speed and complexity of integrated circuits are increasing rapidly. For
instance, today’s mainstream processors have already surpassed gigahertz global
clock.

in embedded signal-processing (ESP) systems, e.g. radar and sonar systems, can
be implemented with a reasonable number(less than 1000) of processors, at least
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FREE SPACE OPTICS
in terms of computational power. An extreme inter-processor networks is
required, however, to implement those algorithms. The demands are such that
completely new interconnection architectures must be considered. In the search
for new architectures,developers of parallel computer systems can actually take
advantage of optical interconnects. The main reason for introducing optics from
a system point of view is the strength in using benefits that enable new
architecture concepts ,e.g. free-space propagation and easy fan-out, together
with benefits that can actually be exploited bysimply replacing the electrical
links with optical ones without changing the architecture,

Algorithms recently proposed for applications in embedded signal-processing

(ESP) systems, e.g. in radar and sonar systems, demand sustained performance
in the range of 1 GFLOPS to 50TFLOPS [1]. As a consequence, several
processors must work together, thus increasing inter-processor communication.
Moreover, the data transfer time increases quickly if an incorrect network
topology is chosen, especially in systems with frequent use of all-to-all
communication structures. The choice of a scalable high-speed network is
therefore essential. Other requirements that must be fulfilled in ESP systems are
real-time processing, low power consumption, small physical size, and
multimode operation. New parallel computer architectures are necessary to be
able to cope with all these constraints at the same time.

In this sort of environment, free space optics can be used to communicate with
each other. The high data rate of free space optics provides a better alternative
compared to wired networks. As the size of the chips is getting smaller and
smaller the interconnection of the chips becomes the main concern. And unlike
electrical signals the optical signals don’t suffer from electrical interferences and
signal dependent attenuations. The free space optics also has the advantage of
high fan-in and fan-out property which is very useful in transmission between
thousands of channels.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

FIG: ELECTRONIC CHIP

By placing electronic chips (including optoelectronic devices) and optical

elements on a substrate where light beams can travel, we get a planar free space
system Electronic chips are placed in a two-dimensional plane, while light beams
travel in a three-dimensional space. In this way, optical systems can be
integrated monolithically, which brings compact, stable and potentially
inexpensive systems. The interconnection pattern in a planar free space system
can, for example, be chosenwith respect to a pipelined dataflow between chips.
Another possibility is to have a more general topology, such as the two-
dimensional mesh, or to have special optical or optoelectronic devices dedicated
to switch functions. Current optical interconnect research efforts focus on using
planar optical waveguides, which will be integrated onto the same chip as the
electronics. This in-plane waveguide approach, however, presents some
significant challenges. Pure optical switching and storage devices in silicon
technologies remain far from practical. Without these capabilities, routing and

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

remain challenging due to the inherently poor nonlinear optical properties of

silicon, and silicon electro-optic modulators have to rely on other weaker
physical mechanisms such as the plasma dispersion effect (refractive index
change induced byfree carriers) [7]. Hence the modulator design requires a long
optical length, which results in large device size

1) FSO in space applications:

This involves the application of free space optics technology for space
applications. The optical communication has various advantages over the RF in
terms of wider bandwidth, a larger capacity, lower power consumption, more
compact equipment, greater security against eavesdropping, and immunity from
interference. The main criterion for deep space communication is signal to noise
ratio. Another important aspect is that the use of optical radiation as a carrier
between the satellites permits very narrow beam divergence. Due to the narrow
divergence and the large distance between the satellites, pointing from one
satellite to another is difficult. The pointing task is further complicated by
vibration of the pointing system caused by tracking noise and mechanical
impacts.
The use of optical intersatellite links has some advantages over microwave
intersatellite links: Smaller size and weight of the terminal, Smaller transmitter
power, Greater immunity to interference, Larger data rate and Smaller
transmitter beam divergence. The main disadvantage of optical intersatellite
links is the complexpointing system required. The complexity of the pointing
system derives from the necessity to point from one satellite to another satellite
over a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers with a beam divergence angle
of micro radians as the satellites move and vibrate. The pointing system
compensates the movement of the satellites using the known ephemerides data.
Coupling of satellite mechanical vibration and tracking noise to the pointing
system causes vibration of the satellite transmitted beam in the receiver plane.
Such vibrations decrease the received signal. The decrease of the signal increases
the bit error probability (BEP) in optical satellite

28
FREE SPACE OPTICS

networks the problem is more complicated because all the satellites continually
vibrate randomly. Possible solutions to satellite vibrations include: Increasing
the transmitter power, use of a more complicated pointing system, and an
adaptive model that adapts the system parameters such as power, bandwidth, and
telescope gain to the vibration amplitude. These solutions have some or all of
the disadvantages of Larger size, More weight, Higher energy consumption,
heat- transfer problems, Greater expense and More complexity. All the above
disadvantages raise the price of the mission and decrease the reliability of the
system.

Network of free space optical channels

Even though the free space technology has many advantages, if we consider long
distance communication such as 107 km the RF fares better when compared to
the free space optical communication because of lack of technology to support
it. For near-Earth communication links such as the Moon-to-Earth mmunication

29
FREE SPACE OPTICS

also best suited for high-data-rate, short-link communications. The choice of a

suitable space communication system must also take into account the terminals'
mass, power, volume, regulatory restrictions, etc. RF communication systems
will bepreferable in deep space communication links for the time being, maybe
until quantum communications technology makes a big leap forward.

2) Deep sea communication using FSO:

The growing need for underwater observation and subsea monitoring systems
has stimulated considerable interest in advancing the enabling technologies of
underwater wireless communication and underwater sensor networks. This
communication technology is expected to play an important role in investigating
climate change, in monitoring biological, biogeochemical, evolutionary, and
ecological changes in the sea, ocean, and lake environments, and in helping to
control and maintain oil production facilities and harbors using unmanned
underwater vehicles , submarines, ships, buoys, and divers. However, the present
technology of underwater acoustic communication cannot provide the high data
rate required to investigate and monitor these environments and facilities.
Optical wireless communication has been proposed as the best alternative to
meet this challenge.
The present technology of acoustic underwater communication is a legacy
technology that provides low-data-rate transmissions for medium-range
communication. Data rates of acoustic communication are restricted to around
tensof thousands of kilobits per second for ranges of a kilometer, and less than
a thousand kilobits per second for ranges up to 100 km, due to severe, frequency-
dependent attenuation and surface-induced pulse spread. In addition, the speed
of acoustic waves in the ocean is approximately 1500 m/ s, so that long-range
communication involves high latency, which poses a problem for real-time
response, synchronization, and multiple-access protocols. As a result, the
network topology is simple and throughput is low. In addition, acoustic
waves could distress marine

30
FREE SPACE OPTICS
Mammals such as dolphins and whales. As a result, acoustic technology
cannotsatisfy emerging applications that require aroundthe clock,high-data-
ratecommunication networks in real time. Examples of such applications are
networks of sensors forthe investigation of climate change; monitoring
biological, biogeochemical, evolutionary, and ecological processes in sea,
ocean, and lake environments; and unmanned underwater vehicles used to
control and maintain oilproduction facilities and harbors.An alternative means
of underwatercommunication is based on optics, wherein high data rates are
possible. However, thedistance between the transmitter and the receiver must be
short, due to the extremely challenging underwater environment, which is
characterized by high multiscatteringand absorption. Multiscattering causes the
optical pulse to widen in the spatial, temporal, angular, and polarization
domains. Although high data rates are threatenedby extremely high absorption
and scattering, there is evidence that broadband Linkscan be achieved over
moderate ranges. It has been shown that at close distances adata rate of 1Gb/s
can be achieved using the wireless optical communication.
However, subsea FSO is challenged by high extinction and the immense
variabilityof background illumination in shallow waters. This has stimulated us
to investigate the potential of underwater FSO in the UV solar-blind spectral
range, where background illumination is nearly nonexistent and considerable
scattering occurs.The achievable performance is compared to transmission at
520 nm, where, in Clear Ocean, data rates of 100 Mbps can be transmitted over
distances of 170 m, falling to under 15 m in harbor waters. It is anticipated
that ranges of 12 m can also beobtained with UV solar-blind wavelengths,
The solar blind UV rays are rays which are completely reflected by the earth’s
atmosphere (240–285 nm). These have special properties such as low
interference when used for communication compared to other regions. This

31
FREE SPACE OPTICS

properties this is used in the deep sea communication where interference and
losses are more.
Although the use of free space optics seems to give many advantages, it has to
be proved practically. However getting accurate data on the transmission and
reception in under water is very difficult. Even though the FSO provides high
data rate in normal conditions its data rate comes down drastically in the case of
harbor water

Free space optics (FSO) provides a low cost, rapidly deployable methodof
gaining access to the fiber optic backbone. FSO technology not only delivers
fiber-quality connections, it provides the lowest cost transmission capacity in
the broadband industry.
As a truly protocol-independent broadband conduit, FSO systems complement
legacy network investments and work in harmony with any protocol, saving
substantial up-front capital investments.
A FSO link can be procured and installed for as little as one-tenth of the cost of
laying fiber cable, and about half as much as comparable microwave/RF wireless
systems. By transmitting data through the atmosphere, FSO systems dispense
with the substantial costs of digging up sidewalks to install a fiberlink.
Unlike RF wireless technologies, FSO eliminates the need to obtain costly
spectrum licenses or meet further regulatory requirements.

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FREE SPACE OPTICS

REFERENCES

1. International Journal on Science and Technology (IJSAT) Volume 1, Issue

I, (Oct.- Nov.) 2010

2. JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATIONS, VOL. 4, NO. 8, SEPTEMBER 2009

3. An Intra-Chip Free-Space Optical Interconnect

Jing Xue, Alok Garg, Berkehan Ciftcioglu, ShangWang, Jianyun Hu, Ioannis
Savidis, y Manish Jain, Michael Huang, Hui Wu, Eby G. Friedman, y Gary W.
Wicks, yDuncan Moore

4. Subsea ultraviolet solar-blind broadband free-space optics communication

Optical Engineering 48_4_, 046001 _April 2009

5. Performance limitations of free-space optical communication satellite

networks due to vibrations: direct detection digital mode 3148 Opt. Eng. 36(11)
3148–3157 (November 1997)

6. Wavelength Diversity in Free-Space Optics to Alleviate Fog

Effects. John Heidemann, Wei Ye, Jack Wills, Affan Syed, Yuan Li Information
Sciences Institute, University of Southern California

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