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Abbreviated as FSO, free space optics technology, also referred to as
open-air photonics or optical wireless or infrared broadband,
transmits data from point-to-point and multipoint using low-powered
infrared
lasers. Unlike
traditional copper wires or fiber-optic technology, which transmits data by
light across glass, FSO uses laser technology to send optical signals through
the air using lenses and mirrors to focus and redirect the beams and send data
from one chip to another. And unlike radio frequencies, FSO technology does not
require a spectrum license.
An FSO system uses optical amplifiers and a telescope that sends multiple
wavelengths of light in direct line of sight through the atmosphere to another
telescope waiting to receive the information. The receiving telescope is
connected to a highly sensitive receiver through an optical fiber and a
DWDM demultiplexer. Since the system is bidirectional,
each telescope can simultaneously send and receive information. The only weather
condition that affects an FSO transmission is fog. Fog can corrupt the direct
line of sight between the two telescopes because the moisture particles in the
air are so small and dense that they act as millions of tiny prisms dissipating
the band of light sent from the laser.
Free space optics provides a higher bandwidth to the end user at a faster
speed. The photons transmitted by the laser are much quicker than electrons
moving along a wire and they can pass straight through each other, which
charge-bearing electrons cannot do. Because of this, large amounts of data, such
as IP -based voice and video, can be transmitted through a narrow corridor of
space.
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