What is it about?
The article presents state of work in technology of free-space optical communications (Free Space Optics − FSO). Both commercially available optical data links and their further development are described. The main elements and operation limiting factors of FSO systems have been identified. Additionally, analyses of FSO/RF hybrid systems application are included. The main aspects of LasBITer project related to such hybrid technology for security and defence applications are presented.
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Why is it important?
The described analysis presents a high potential of FSO technology in the development of wireless mobile communication systems. The properties of FSO systems can be defined by both transmitter and receiver parameters. However, the greatest limitation of these systems is directly determined by the influence of the atmosphere. In this case, minimizing this negative effect mainly depends on the wavelength range of FSO link operation. The research performed so far has shown that a very promising solution may be the use of transceivers operating in the LWIR spectrum.
Perspectives
To further increase the availability of wireless communications, so-called hybrid links can be used. These constructions use both optical and radio communication channels. The preliminary research on this type of devices is currently underway. These studies are also the primary task of the described LasBITer project. In this project, a unique combination of free-space optical and radio links is used. The essential elements of the FSO link are quantum cascade lasers and MCT integrated detection modules. These lasers can be potentially used in other applications as well (e.g. Raman spectroscopy at different excitation wavelengths for advance chemical compounds detection). The described processes of these devices’ design have resulted in obtaining the optimal time-energy parameters of generated pulses, as well as the ability to detect ultra-low power LWIR radiation pulses
Artur Prokopiuk
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This page is a summary of: Analysis of Free-Space Optics Development, December 2017, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1515/mms-2017-0060.
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