MAR BASELIOS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

PEERMADE

DEPARTMENT OF
ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

SEMINAR REPORT
ON
FREE SPACE OPTIC TECHNOLOGY

Submitted by
Mr.Amal Dominic
Reg No: 222006

under the guidance of

Mr.Amol Joy
(lecturer Dept: of ECE)
Submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirement
for the award of
Degree of Bachelor of Technology in

ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

Of the
MAHATMAGANDHI UNIVERSITY
 MAR BASELIOS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY,
PEERMADE

Certificate
This is to certify that this SEMINAR report on FREE SPACE
OPTIC TECHNOLOGY is a bonafide record of the miniproject presented by
MrA.mal Dominic(222006) and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement
of the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication
Engineering of Mahatma Gandhi University.

Place: Peermade

Date :…………………

Project Coordinator Head of the Department

Internal Examiner External Examiner

 INTRODUCTION

Free Space Optics (FSO) communications, also called Free Space Photonics
(FSP) or Optical Wireless, refers to the transmission of modulated visible or infrared
(IR) beams through the atmosphere to obtain optical communications. Like fiber,
Free Space Optics (FSO) uses lasers to transmit data, but instead of enclosing the
data stream in a glass fiber, it is transmitted through the air. Free Space Optics
(FSO) works on the same basic principle as Infrared television remote controls,
wireless keyboards or wireless Palm® devices.

HISTORY OF FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO)

The engineering maturity of Free Space Optics (FSO) is often underestimated,

due to a misunderstanding of how long Free Space Optics (FSO) systems have been
under development. Historically, Free Space Optics (FSO) or optical wireless
communications was first demonstrated by Alexander Graham Bell in the late
nineteenth century (prior to his demonstration of the telephone!). Bell’s Free Space
Optics (FSO) experiment converted voice sounds into telephone signals and
transmitted them between receivers through free air space along a beam of light for a
distance of some 600 feet. Calling his experimental device the “photophone,” Bell
considered this optical technology – and not the telephone – his preeminent
invention because it did not require wires for transmission.

Although Bell’s photophone never became a commercial reality, it

demonstrated the basic principle of optical communications. Essentially all of the
engineering of today’s Free Space Optics (FSO) or free space optical
communications systems was done over the past 40 years or so, mostly for defense
applications. By addressing the principal engineering challenges of Free Space
Optics (FSO), this aerospace/defense activity established a strong foundation upon
which today’s commercial laser-based Free Space Optics (FSO) systems are based.

HOW FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) WORKS

Free Space Optics (FSO) transmits invisible, eye-safe light beams from one
"telescope" to another using low power infrared lasers in the teraHertz spectrum.
The beams of light in Free Space Optics (FSO) systems are transmitted by laser light
focused on highly sensitive photon detector receivers. These receivers are telescopic
lenses able to collect the photon stream and transmit digital data containing a mix of
Internet messages, video images, radio signals or computer files.Commercially
available systems offer capacities in the range of 100 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps, and
demonstration systems report data rates as high as 160 Gbps.

Free Space Optics (FSO) systems can function over distances of several
kilometers. As long as there is a clear line of sight between the source and the
destination, and enough transmitter power, Free Space Optics (FSO) communication
is possible.

FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) TECHNOLOGY

 Lasers are one of the most significant inventions of the 20th century - they
can be found in many modern products, from CD players to fiber-optic networks.
The word laser is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emiission of Radiation. Although stimulated emission was first predicted by Albert
Einstein near the beginning of the 20th century, the first working laser was not
demonstrated until 1960 when Theodore Maiman did so using a ruby. Maiman's
laser was predated by the maser - another acronym, this time for Microwave
Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A maser is very similar to a
laser except the photons generated by a maser are of a longer wavelength outside the
visible and/or infrared spectrum.

A laser generates light, either visible or infrared, through a process known as

stimulated emission. To understand stimulated emission, understanding two basic
concepts is necessary. The first is absorption which occurs when an atom absorbs
energy or photons. The second is emission which occurs when an atom emits
photons. Emission occurs when an atom is in an excited or high energy state and
returns to a stable or ground state – when this occurs naturally it is called
spontaneous emission because no outside trigger is required. Stimulated emission
occurs when an already excited atom is bombarded by yet another photon causing it
to release that photon along with the photon which previously excited it. Photons are
particles, or more properly quanta, of light and a light beam is made up of what can
be thought of as a stream of photons.
 A basic laser uses a mirrored chamber or cavity to reflect light waves so they
reinforce each other. An excitable substance – gas, liquid, or solid like the original
ruby laser – is contained within the cavity and determines the wavelength of the
resulting laser beam. Through a process called pumping, energy is introduced to the
cavity exciting the atoms within and causing a population inversion. A population
inversion is when there are more excited atoms than grounded atoms which then
leads to stimulated emission. The released photons oscillate back and forth between
the mirrors of the cavity, building energy and causing other atoms to release more
photons. One of the mirrors allows some of the released photons to escape the cavity
resulting in a laser beam emitting from one end of the cavity.
 TERRESTRIAL LASER COMMUNICATIONS
CHALLENGES

Fog

Fog substantially attenuates visible radiation, and it has a similar affect on the
near-infrared wavelengths that are employed in laser communications. Similar to the
case of rain attenuation with RF wireless, fog attenuation is not a “show-stopper” for
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. Laser communication systems can be enhanced to yield even greater
availabilities by combining them with RF systems.

Physical Obstructions

Laser communications systems that employ multiple, spatially diverse

transmitters and large receive optics will eliminate interference concerns from
objects such as birds.

Pointing Stability

Pointing stability in commercial laser communications systems is achieved by

one of two methods. The simpler, less costly method is to widen the beam
divergence so that if either end of the link moves the receiver will still be within the
beam. The second method is to employ a beam tracking system. While more costly,
such systems allow for a tighter beam to be transmitted allowing for higher security
and longer distance transmissions.
Scintillation

Performance of many laser communications systems is adversely affected by

scintillation on bright sunny days. Through a large aperture receiver, widely spaced
transmitters, finely tuned receive filtering, and automatic gain control, downtime due
to scintillation can be avoided.

FSO: WIRELESS, AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT

Unlike radio and microwave systems, Free Space Optics (FSO) is an optical
technology and no spectrum licensing or frequency coordination with other users is
required, interference from or to other systems or equipment is not a concern, and
the point-to-point laser signal is extremely difficult to intercept, and therefore
secure. Data rates comparable to optical fiber transmission can be carried by Free
Space Optics (FSO) systems with very low error rates, while the extremely narrow
laser beam widths ensure that there is almost no practical limit to the number of
separate Free Space Optics (FSO) links that can be installed in a given location.

HOW FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) 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 need to 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 feet can be
the most daunting. Free Space Optics (FSO) networks can close this gap and allow
new customers access to high-speed MAN’s. Providers also can take advantage of
the reduced risk of installing an Free Space Optics (FSO) network which can later be
redeployed.

THE MARKET. WHY FSO? BREAKING THE

BANDWIDTH BOTTLENECK

Why FSO? The global telecommunications network has seen massive

expansion over the last few years. First came the tremendous growth of the optical
fiber long-haul, wide-area network (WAN), followed by a more recent emphasis on
metropolitan area networks (MANs). Meanwhile, local area networks (LANs) and
gigabit ethernet ports are being deployed with a comparable growth rate. In order for
this tremendous network capacity to be exploited, and for the users to be able to
utilize the broad array of new services becoming available, network designers must
provide a flexible and cost-effective means for the users to access the
telecommunications network. Presently, however, most local loop network
connections are limited to 1.5 Mbps (a T1 line). As a consequence, there is a strong
need for a high-bandwidth bridge (the “last mile” or “first mile”) between the LANs
and the MANs or WANs.

A recent New York Times article reported that more than 100 million miles of
optical fiber was laid around the world in the last two years, as carriers reacted to the
Internet phenomenon and end users’ insatiable demand for bandwidth. The sheer
scale of connecting whole communities, cities and regions to that fiber optic cable or
“backbone” is something not many players understood well. Despite the huge
investment in trenching and optical cable, most of the fiber remains unlit, 80 to 90%
of office, commercial and industrial buildings are not connected to fiber, and
transport prices are dropping dramatically.

Free Space Optics (FSO) systems represent one of the most promising
approaches for addressing the emerging broadband access market and its “last mile”
bottleneck. Free Space Optics (FSO) systems offer many features, principal among
them being low start-up and operational costs, rapid deployment, and high fiber-like
bandwidths due to the optical nature of the technology

BROADBAND BANDWIDTH ALTERNATIVES

Access technologies in general use today include telco-provisioned copper

wire, wireless Internet access, broadband RF/microwave, coaxial cable and direct
optical fiber connections (fiber to the building; fiber to the home). Telco/PTT
telephone networks are still trapped in the old Time Division Multiplex (TDM)
based network infrastructure that rations bandwidth to the customer in increments of
1.5 Mbps (T-1) or 2.024 Mbps (E-1). DSL penetration rates have been throttled by
slow deployment and the pricing strategies of the PTTs. Cable modem access has
had more success in residential markets, but suffers from security and capacity
problems, and is generally conditional on the user subscribing to a package of cable
TV channels. Wireless Internet access is still slow, and the tiny screen renders it of
little appeal for web browsing.

Broadband RF/microwave systems have severe limitations and are losing

favor. The radio spectrum is a scarce and expensive licensed commodity, sold or
leased to the highest bidder, or on a first-come first-served basis, and all too often,
simply unavailable due to congestion. As building owners have realized the value of
their roof space, the price of roof rights has risen sharply. Furthermore, radio
equipment is not inexpensive, the maximum data rates achievable with RF systems
are low compared to optical fiber, and communications channels are insecure and
subject to interference from and to other systems (a major constraint on the use of
radio systems).

FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) ADVANTAGES

Free space optical (FSO) systems offers a flexible networking solution that
delivers on the promise of broadband. Only free space optics or Free Space Optics
(FSO) provides the essential combination of qualities required to bring the traffic to
the optical fiber backbone – virtually unlimited bandwidth, low cost, ease and speed
of deployment. Freedom from licensing and regulation translates into ease, speed
and low cost of deployment. Since Free Space Optics (FSO) optical wireless
transceivers can transmit and receive through windows, it is possible to mount Free
Space Optics (FSO) systems inside buildings, reducing the need to compete for roof
space, simplifying wiring and cabling, and permitting the equipment to operate in a
very favorable environment. The only essential for Free Space Optics (FSO) is line
of sight between the two ends of the link.

 Freedom from licensing and regulation leads to ease, speed and low cost of
deployment.

 Since FSO units can receive and transmit through windows it reduces the need
to compete for roof space, simplifying wiring and cabling.

 Only need is the line of sight between the two ends of the link.

 Providers take advantage of the reduced risk in installing FSO equipment,

which can even be re-deployed.

 Zero chances of network failure.

 Virtually unlimited bandwidth.

FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) SECURITY

Security is an important element of data transmission, irrespective of the network

topology. It is especially important for military and corporate applications. Building a
network on the SONAbeam™ platform is one of the best ways to ensure that data
transmission between any two points is completely secure. Its focused transmission beam
foils jammers and eavesdroppers and enhances security. Moreover, fSONA systems can
use any signal-scrambling technology that optical fiber can use.

The common perception of wireless is that it offers less security than wireline
connections. In fact, Free Space Optics (FSO) is far more secure than RF or other
wireless-based transmission technologies for several reasons:

 Free Space Optics (FSO) laser beams cannot be detected with spectrum
analyzers or RF meters
 Free Space Optics (FSO) laser transmissions are optical and travel along a
line of sight path that cannot be intercepted easily. It requires a matching
Free Space Optics (FSO) transceiver carefully aligned to complete the
transmission. Interception is very difficult and extremely unlikely
 The laser beams generated by Free Space Optics (FSO) systems are narrow
and invisible, making them harder to find and even harder to intercept and
crack
 Data can be transmitted over an encrypted connection adding to the degree
of security available in Free Space Optics (FSO) network transmissions

APPLICATIONS

 Metro network extensions – FSO is used to extend existing metropolitan area

fiberings to connect new networks from outside.

 Last mile access – FSO can be used in high-speed links to connect end users
with ISPs.
  Enterprise connectivity - The ease in which FSO can be installed makes them a
solution for interconnecting LAN segments, housed in buildings separated by
public streets.

 Fiber backup - FSO may be deployed in redundant links to backup fiber in

place of a second fiber link.

 Backhaul – Used to carry cellular telephone traffic from antenna towers back
to facilities into the public switched telephone networks.

FREE SPACE 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 unforseen 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 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 availabilities.

 PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS AND FREE SPACE OPTICS (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 cause an Free Space Optics
(FSO) link to drop out. Thus birds are unlikely to have any impact on Free Space
Optics (FSO) transmission.

 FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) POINTING STABILITY –

BUILDING SWAY, TOWER MOVEMENT

Fied 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 (FSO)

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 also apply a clock recovery phase-lock-loop time
constant that all but eliminate the affects of atmospheric scintillation and jitter
transference.

 SOLAR INTERFERENCE AND FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO)

Solar interference in Free Space Optics (FSO) free space optical

systems operating at 1550 nm can be combatted in two ways. The first is a long-
pass optical filter window used to block all optical wavelengths below 850 nm
from entering the system; the second is an optical narrowband filter proceeding
the receive detector used to filter all but the wavelength actually used for
intersystem communications. To handle off-axis solar energy, two spatial filters
have been implemented in SONAbeam systems, allowing them to operate
unaffected by solar interference that is more than 1.5 degrees off-axis.

FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) COMPARISONS

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 variety of 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. This paper
aims to examine the many elements considered by the system engineer when
designing a product so that the buyer can ask those same questions about the systems
they are evaluating for purchase.

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. There are 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.

EYE-SAFETY

Laser beams with wavelengths in the range of 400 to 1400 nm emit light that
passes through the cornea and lens and is focused onto a tiny spot on the retina while
wavelengths above 1400 nm are absorbed by the cornea and lens, and do not focus
onto the retina, as illustrated in Figure 1. 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 factor of fifty is important
as it provides up to 17 dB additional margin, allowing the 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.

RECEIVER

There are a number of factors to consider when examining the effectiveness of

the receiver in an FSO system; these include the type of detector used, the sensitivity
rating and size of the detector, the size and design of the receiver optics, and the
operating wavelength itself. In order to correctly assess the efficiency of the overall
system, one must also take into account the number and power of the lasers being
used to generate the signal.
 Types of optical detectors used in FSO equipment come in two flavors: PIN
and APD. The PIN detector is a lower cost detector that has no internal gain, while
the APD is a more expensive but also more sensitive detector with internal gain. The
Benefits of using APD over PIN technology will vary, but real-world results indicate
the benefits to be an improvement in sensitivity of approximately 4x that of a PIN
detector. Although at first glance it would seem that systems using APD detectors
should have a performance advantage; however, the performance of a system must
also take into consideration the transmit characteristics. As an example, the
SONAbeam155-M uses the lower-cost PIN detectors but because it produces 20-40
times the laser power of competing systems the SONAbeam155-M is still 5-10 times
more effective than those systems utilizing APD based receivers. Thus, the
SONAbeam is a much more powerful system, which allows it to outperform other
products at the same distance, under the same weather conditions.

The size of the receiver optics is also important; a larger area receive optic
contributes to reducing errors due to scintallation. Scintillation is atmospheric
turbulence due to solar loading and natural convection, causing temporally and
spatially varying refractive index changes in the air. As a laser beam propagates
through the atmosphere, there is a time-varying intensity at the receiver due to this
phenomenon; this is referred to as 'scintillation'. This is quite similar to the apparent
twinkling of the stars or distant city lights, which is due to the same effect. The
result is that an FSO communications receiver can experience error bursts due to
surges and fades in the receive signal strength. One way to combat this scintillation
effect, and thus improve the error-rate performance, is to use a large aperture
receiver. A collecting aperture that is much larger than the spatial scale of the
scintillation provides an averaging effect of the localized surges and fades, thus
improving the error rate. This large-aperture approach is more effective for
scintillation reduction than multiple smaller apertures, which perform less averaging
at each lens. Another way to mitigate the effects of scintillation is to use multiple
transmitters, each of which takes a slightly different path through the atmosphere,
which also contributes an averaging effect. The net result is that a properly designed
system can defeat scintillation impairments.

The operating wavelength of an FSO system also contributes to the

performance of the receiver. It is generally true that high-quality photodiodes at both
800nm and 1550nm achieve comparable quantum efficiencies. However, longer
wavelengths enjoy an advantage in the receiver due to their lower photon energies.
Specifically, a 1550nm photon has half the energy of a 800nm photon.
Consequently, for the same total energy (i.e. Watts of power), a beam of 1550nm
light has twice the number of photons as a beam of 800nm light. This results in
twice the photoelectrons (photocurrent) from the receiver photodiode. Since a
certain minimum number of photoelectrons is required to detect an optical pulse, a
pulse at 1550nm can be detected with ~ 3 dB less optical power. Hence, 1550nm has
a fundamental 3 dB advantage over 800nm in receiver sensitivity.

PERFORMANCE – TRANSMIT POWER & RECEIVER

SENSITIVITY

Free Space Optics (FSO) products performance can be characterized by four main
parameters (for a given data rate):

• Total transmitted power

• Transmitting beamwidth
• Receiving optics collecting area
• Receiver sensitivity

High transmitted power may be achieved by using erbium doped fiber

amplifiers, or by non-coherently combining multiple lower cost semiconductor
lasers. Narrow transmitting beamwidth (a.k.a. high antenna gain) can be achieved on
a limited basis for fixed-pointed units, with the minimum beamwidth 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 gimbal). 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 photodetectors, 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.

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 due to scintillation, rather than perfect
zero error performance.

FIXED-POINTING OR ACTIVE-POINTING?

Another element of Free Space Optics (FSO) system design that must be
considered by a prudent buyer is the challenge of maintaining sufficiently accurate
pointing stability. A number of Free Space Optics (FSO) systems employ an active
pointing-stabilization approach, which represents an effective approach for
addressing this challenge. However, the cost, complexity, and reliability issues
associated with active-pointing approach can be avoided in some applications
(particularly for shorter ranges and lower data rates) by utilizing the fixed-pointed
approach schematically shown in the figure.

According to this approach, the transmitted beam is broadened significantly

beyond its near-perfect minimum beam divergence angle, and the receiver field of
view is broadened to a comparable extent. The broadening of the transmitted beam
and receiver field of view leads to large pointing/alignment tolerances and a very
low probability of building motion being of sufficient magnitude to take the link
down. Well engineered hardware exploits this approach of designing for loose
alignment tolerances. Therefore, it is possible to perform initial alignment of the
transceivers at opposite ends of the link during installation and then leave them
unattended for many years of reliable service.

Note that this approach is facilitated for systems operating at wavelengths >
1400 nm, because the higher allowable eye-safe powers at such wavelengths allow
the transmitted beam to be significantly broadened spatially while still maintaining
an adequate intensity at the receiver. Of primary importance to prospective buyers
will be selecting the right system for the situation.

RELIABILITY

Systems are designed, engineered and tested to ensure exceptional reliability.

Building on their extensive experience in laser communications systems for military and
space applications, our design engineers have ensured that critical sub-systems are
manufactured using high-reliability components. Component reliability is further ensured
by rigorous vendor qualification and incoming inspection procedures.

Our equipment reliability analysis is performed using the stringent

Bellcore/Telcordia guidelines applicable to carrier equipment. This is further backed up
by exhaustive qualification testing in our in-house test facilities, where subsystems are
severely stressed and operational performance is validated at extremes ranging from
-50°C to 75°C. The combination of active laser cooling, high-reliability components,
sealed housings and rugged mechanical design enables us to offer carriers superior
products with outstanding communications performance and a rated service life of 15
years.

Built for Dependability and Longevity

Depending on their bandwidth and operating range, NAbeam™ systems are

designed with two-, four- or eight-fold redundancy of lasers, laser drivers, laser coolers
and cooler controllers. SONAbeam's™ environmentally sealed cast-aluminum
exterior housings, unique in the market, are impervious to water, sun and other
environmental hazards. fSONA's rugged transceiver mounting structures maintain
pointing accuracy through Class 1 hurricanes of 120 km/hr, and survive Class 2
hurricanes of 160 km/hr.

COST OF DEPLOYEMENT
 Higher performances with little extra cost penalty, provides the best value. The
key factor that affects the cost are system design, minimization of manual labour and
bulk manufacturing. An 850 nm laser can cost up to $5000 while a 1550 nm laser can go
up to $50,000.

CONCLUSION

FSO enables optical transmission of voice video and data through air at very high
rates. It has key roles to play as primary access medium and backup technology. Driven
by the need for high speed local loop connectivity and the cost and the difficulties of
deploying fiber, the interest in FSO has certainly picked up dramatically among service
providers world wide. Instead of fiber coaxial systems, fiber laser systems may turn out
to be the best way to deliver high data rates to your home. FSO continues to accelerate
the vision of all optical networks cost effectively, reliably and quickly with freedom and
flexibility of deployment.
 REFERENCES

Websites:
1. http://www.lightpointe.com
2. http://www.spie.org
3. http://www.osa.org

Journals
1. IEEE Spectrum August 2001
2. IEEE Intelligent System May-June 2001
 ABSTRACT

Free Space Optics (FSO) or Optical Wireless, refers to the transmission of

modulated visible or infrared (IR) beams through the air to obtain optical
communications. Like fiber, Free Space Optics (FSO) uses lasers to transmit data, but
instead of enclosing the data stream in a glass fiber, it is transmitted through the air. It is a
secure, cost-effective alternative to other wireless connectivity options. This form of
delivering communication has a lot of compelling advantages.

Data rates comparable to fiber transmission can be carried with very low error
rates, while the extremely narrow laser beam widths ensure that it is possible to co-locate
multiple tranceivers without risk of mutual interference in a given location. FSO has roles
to play as primary access madium and backup technology. It could also be the solution
for high speed residential access. Though this technology sprang into being, its
applications are wide and many. It indeed is the technology of the future...
 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. HISTORY OF FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) 1

3. HOW FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) WORKS 2

4. FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) TECHNOLOGY 3

5. TERRESTRIAL LASER

COMMUNICATIONS CHALLENGES 5

6. FSO: WIRELESS, AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT 6

7. THE MARKET. WHY FSO?

BREAKING THE BANDWIDTH BOTTLENECK 7

8. FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) ADVANTAGES 10

9. FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) SECURITY 11

10. APPLICATIONS 12

11. FREE SPACE OPTICS (FSO) CHALLENGES 12

12. COST OF DEPLOYEMENT 22

13. CONCLUSION 23

14. REFERENCES 24