Free Space Optics

VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

S.D.M COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

A seminar report on
FREE SPACE OPTICS

Submitted by
Sneha Sabnis
2SD06CS107
8th semester

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

S. D. M. College Of Engg and Tech.

 Free Space Optics

VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

S.D.M COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND

ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
Certified that the seminar work entitled Free Space Optics is a bonafide work presented by

Sneha Sabnis bearing USN NO 2SD06CS107 in a partial fulfillment for the award of degree

of Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science affiliated to Vishveshwaraiah Technological

University, Belgaum during the year 2009-10. The seminar report has been approved as it

satisfies the academic requirements with respect to seminar work presented for the Bachelor

of Engineering Degree.

Staff in charge H.O.D CSE

Name: Sneha Sabnis

USN: 2SD06CS107

S. D. M. College Of Engg and Tech.

 Free Space Optics

CONTENTS AT A GLANCE

1. Introduction. ……………….2

2. Meaning of FSO. ……………….2

3. History. ……………….3

4. Usage and Technologies. ……………….3

5. How it works. ……………….4

6. FSO: Wireless at the speed of light . ……………….5

7. Light beam used for FSO system. ……………….6

8. Applications of FSO. ………………7

9. FSO security. ……………….8

10. Advantages. ……………….8

11. Challenges. ……………….9

12. Conclusion. ………………12

13. References. ………………12

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 Free Space Optics

INTRODUCTION

When we talk about optical communication, most people think about optical-fiber. But
optical communication is also possible without optical-fiber. We know that light travels through
air for a lot less money. This makes possible the optical communication without optical-fiber.
Optical communication without fiber is known as Free Space Optics. It is used due to economic
advantages. Since the introduction of internet the backbone traffic is increasing at a greater rate,
hence the owner of the backbone infrastructure (which is entirely based on fiber optics) are
eagerly embracing technologies that add of the capacity of the fiber optics without adding
mountains of optical cables.

FSO is not a new idea. 30-years back optical-fiber cables are used for high-speed
communication. In those days FSO were used for high-speed connectivity over short distances.
Today’s FSO can carry full-duplex data at gigabit-per-second rates over metropolitan
distances[1].

MEANING OF FREE SPACE OPTICS

Free Space Optics (FSO) is a line-of-sight technology that uses lasers to provide optical
bandwidth connections. Currently, Free Space Optics are capable of transporting upto 2.5 Gbps
of data, voice and video communications through the air, allowing optical connectivity without
requiring fiber-optic cable or securing spectrum licenses. FSO requires light, which can be
focused by using either light emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers (light amplification by stimulated
emission of radiation)[1]. The use of lasers is a simple concept similar to optical transmissions
using fiber-optic cables; the only difference is the medium. Light travels through air faster than it
does through glass, so it is fair to classify Free Space Optics as optical communications at the
speed of light.

Free Space Optics (FSO) technology is relatively simple. It's based on connectivity
between FSO units, each consisting of an optical transceiver with a laser transmitter and a
receiver to provide full duplex (bi-directional) capability. Each FSO unit uses a high-power

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optical source (i.e. laser), plus a lens that transmits light through the atmosphere to another lens
receiving the information. The receiving lens connects to a high-sensitivity receiver via optical
fiber. FSO technology requires no spectrum licensing. FSO is easily upgradeable, and its open
interfaces support equipment from a variety of vendors, which helps service providers protect
their investment in embedded telecommunications infrastructures.

HISTORY

Optical communications, in various forms, have been used for thousands of years. The
Ancient Greeks polished their shields to send signals during battle. In the modern era,
semaphores and wireless solar telegraphs called heliographs were developed, using coded signals
to communicate with their recipients.

In 1880 Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant Charles Sumner Tainter created the
photophone, which Bell considered his most important invention. The device allowed for the
transmission of sound on a beam of light. On June 3, 1880, Bell conducted the world's first
wireless telephone transmission between two building rooftops[1].

The invention of lasers in the 1960s revolutionized free space optics. Military
organizations were particularly interested and boosted their development. However the
technology lost market momentum when the installation of optical fiber networks for civilian
uses was at its peak.

USAGE AND TECHNOLOGIES

Free Space Optics is used for communications between spacecraft. The optical links can
be implemented using infrared laser light, although low-data-rate communication over short
distances is possible using LEDs. Maximum range for terrestrial links is in the order of 2-3
km[2], but the stability and quality of the link is highly dependent on atmospheric factors such

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as rain, fog, dust and heat. Amateur radio operators have achieved significantly farther distances
(173 miles in at least one occasion) using incoherent sources of light from high-intensity LEDs.
[3]However, the low-grade equipment used limited bandwidths to about 4 kHz. In outer space,
the communication range of free-space optical communication is currently in the order of several
thousand kilometers[4] , but has the potential to bridge interplanetary distances of millions of
kilometers, using optical telescopes as beam expanders[5]. IrDA is also a very simple form of
free-space optical communications.

Secure free-space optical communications have been proposed using a laser N-slit
interferometer where the laser signal takes the form of an interferometric pattern. Any attempt to
intercept the signal causes the collapse of the interferometric pattern.[6]Although this method
has been demonstrated at laboratory distances in principle it could be applied over large
distances in space.

HOW IT WORKS

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Free Space Optics (FSO) transmits invisible, eye-safe light beams from one
"telescope" to other 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

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[4]. 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.

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LIGHT BEAM USED FOR FSO SYSTEM

Generally equipment works at one of the two wavelengths: 850 nm or 1550 nm. Laser for 850
nm are much less expensive (around $30 versus more than $1000) and are favored for
applications over moderate distances. One question arises that why we use 1550 nm wavelength.
The main reason revolves around power, distance, and eye safety. Infrared radiation at 1550 nm
tends not to reach the retina of the eye, being mostly absorbed by the cornea. 1550 nm beams
operate at higher power than 850 nm, by about two orders of magnitude[6]. That power can
boost link lengths by a factor of at least five while maintaining adequate strength for proper link
operation. So for high data rates, long distances, poor propagation conditions (like fog), or
combinations of those conditions, 1550 nm can become quite attractive.

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APPLICATIONS OF FSO

The applications of free-space-optics are many. Some of them are as follows –

1) METRO NETWORK EXTENSIONS

Carriers can deploy FSO to extend existing metropolitan-area fiber rings, to connect new
networks, and, in their core infrastructure, to complete Sonet rings.

2) LAST MILE ACCESS

FSO can be used in high-speed links that connect end-users with internet service
providers or other networks. It can also be used to bypass local-loop systems to provide business
with high-speed connections.

3) ENTERPRISE CONNECTIVITY

The ease with which FSO links can be installed makes them a natural for interconnecting
local-area network segments that are housed in buildings separated by public streets or other
right-of-way property.

4) FIBER BACKUP

FSO may also be deployed in redundant links to backup fiber in place of a second fiber
link.

5) BACKHAUL

FSO can be used to carry cellular telephone traffic from antenna towers back to facilities
wired into the public switched telephone network.

6) SERVICE ACCELERATION

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FSO can be also used to provide instant service to fiber-optic customers while
their fiber infrastructure is being laid

FREE SPACE OPTICS SECURITY

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

ADVANTAGES OF FSO

The FSO system requires less than one fifth of the capital outlay of comparable ground-
based fiber-optic technologies. Optical-fibers are too costly. Connecting the buildings with
optical-fiber cost US $100000 - $200000/km in metropolitan areas, 85 percent of the total figure
tied to trenching and installation[7]. To install fiber you have to dig the road. Street trenching
and digging are not only expensive, they cause traffic jams (which increase air pollution),

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displace trees, and sometimes destroy historical areas. Using FSO, a service provider can be
generating revenue while a fiber-based competitor is still seeking municipal approval to dig up a
street to lay its cable.

It is flexible, offers freedom, and is fast (speeds from 20 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps and beyond)

Demand for bandwidth is increasing and has been increasing exponentially for the past
few years. Service providers have been struggling to keep up with such demand. Service
providers must extend the reach of metro optical networks, and FSO offers service providers the
opportunity to accomplish this objective.

The primary advantages of FSO are high throughput, solid security, and low cost.

CHALLENGES OF FREE SPACE OPTICS

Fiber-optic cable and FSO share many similarities. However, there is a difference in how
each technology transmits information. While fiber uses a relatively predictable medium that is
subject to outside disturbances from wayward construction backhoes, gnawing rodents and even
sharks when deployed under sea, FSO uses an open medium (the atmosphere) that is subject to
its own potential outside disturbances[5]. Networks with FSO must be designed to counter the
atmosphere, which can affect an FSO system's capacity. FSO is also a line-of-sight technology
and interconnecting points must be free from physical obstruction and able to "see" each other.

1) SCINTILLATION

Scintillation is best defined as the temporal and spatial variations in light intensity caused by
atmospheric turbulence. Such turbulence is caused by wind and temperature gradients that create
pockets of air with rapidly varying densities and therefore fast changing indices of optical
refraction. These air pockets act like prisms and lenses with time varying properties[5]. Their

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action is readily observed in the twinkling of stars in the night sky and the shimmering of
horizon on a hot day.

FSO communications systems deal with scintillation by sending the same information from
several separate laser transmitters. These are mounted in the same housing, or link head,
separated from one another by distances of about 200 mm. it is unlikely that in traveling to the
receiver , all the parallel beams will encounter the same pocket of turbulence since the
scintillation pockets are usually quite small. Most probably, at least one of the beams will arrive
at the target node with adequate strength to be properly received. This approach is called Spatial
Diversity.

2) MIE-SCATTERING

It is the scattering of beam due to fog. It is largely a matter of boosting the transmitted power.
Spatial diversity also helps to deal with scattering. In areas with frequent heavy fogs, it is often
necessary to choose 1550-nm lasers because of the higher power permitted at that wavelength.
Also, there seems to be some evidence that mie-scattering is slightly lower at 1550-nm than at
850-nm[4]. But some studies shows that scattering is independent of the wavelength under heavy
fog conditions. Other atmospheric disturbances, like snow and especially rain, are less of a
problem for free-space optics than fog.

3) SWAYING BUILDINGS

One of the more common difficulties that arises when deploying free-space optics links on tall
buildings or towers is sway due to wind or seismic activities. Both storms and earthquakes can
cause buildings to move enough to affect beam aiming.

The problem of swaying buildings can be dealt with in two ways.

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Beam Divergence

With beam divergence, the transmitted beam is purposely allowed to diverge, or spread, so that
by the time it arrives at the receiving link head, it forms a fairly large optical cone. Depending on
product design, the typical free-space optics light beam subtends an angle of 3-6 milliradians
(10-20 minutes of arc) and will have a diameter of 3-6 meters after traveling 1 kilometer. If the
receiver is initially positioned at the center of the beam, divergence alone can deal with many
perturbations.

Active Tracking

This method is used when the link heads are mounted on the top of extremely tall buildings
or towers.

Active tracking is based on movable mirrors that control the direction in which the beams are
launched.

A feedback mechanism continuously adjust the mirrors so that the beams stay on target. It is
more sophisticated and costly than beam divergence method.

4) PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS

Flying birds can temporarily block a single beam, but this tends to cause only short
interruptions, and transmissions are easily and automatically resumed. LightPointe uses multi-
beam systems (spatial diversity) to address this issue, as well as other atmospheric conditions, to
provide for greater availability

5) SAFETY

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To those unfamiliar with FSO, safety is often a concern because the technology uses lasers for
transmission. This concern, however, is based on perception more than reality. The proper
use and safety of lasers have been discussed since FSO devices first appeared in laboratories
more than two decades ago. The two major concerns involve human exposure to laser beams
(which present

much more danger to the eyes than any other part of the human body) and high voltages within
the laser systems and their power supplies. Standards have been set for laser safety and
performance and FSO systems comply with these standards.

CONCLUSION

The entire face of the Free-Space Optics community is about to change radically as driven by the
need for high-speed local loop connectivity and the costs and difficulties of deploying fibers.
FSO can be the ultimate solution for high-speed access. Instead of hybrid fiber-coax system,
hybrid fiber-laser system may turn out to be the best way to deliver the high capacity last-mile
access. FSO provide higher security, and throughput. FSO is capable to fulfill the increasing
demand of bandwidth.

REFERENCES

1. Carson 2007
2. Analysis of Free Space Optics as a Transmission Technology, U.S. Army Information
Systems Engineering Command, page 3.
3. A 173-mile 2-way all-electronic optical contact
4. http://www.esa.int/esaTE/SEMN6HQJNVE_index_0.html

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5. http://silicium.dk/pdf/speciale.pdf Optical Communications in Deep Space, University of

Copenhagen
6. F. J. Duarte, Secure interferometric communications in free space, Opt. Commun. 205,
313-319 (2002).
7. http://www.cs.utah.edu/cmpmsi/papers09/paper1.pdf CMP-MSI: 3rd Workshop on Chip
Multiprocessor Memory Systems and Interconnects held in conjunction with the 36th
International Symposium on Computer Architecture, June 2009.

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