Mesh Free Space Optical Systems: A Method to Improve Broadband Neighborhood Area Network Backhaul

Author

Britz, D.M. ; Miller, R.R.

Author_Institution

AT&T Labs - Res., Austin

fYear

2007

fDate

10-13 June 2007

Firstpage

37

Lastpage

42

Abstract

The popularity of wireless LANs for Ethernet-speed home and business broadband connectivity has propelled their expansion into public applications such as "hot spots", "hot zones", and more recently, city-wide Internet access systems. As these outdoor WLAN-evolved 4G "nanocellular" networks grow, unconventional backhaul methods will need to be employed to bolster throughput as more users connect and begin to exchange richer multimedia content. In this paper we examine use of mesh-connected free-space optical links as a backhaul supplement to wireless, metallic and fiber media for such Neighborhood Area and city wide wireless networks.

Keywords

Internet; broadband networks; multimedia communication; optical communication; wireless LAN; 4G nanocellular networks; Ethernet-speed connectivity; backhaul methods; business broadband connectivity; city-wide Internet access; citywide wireless networks; fiber media; free-space optical links; home broadband connectivity; mesh free space optical systems; mesh-connected optical links; metallic media; multimedia content; neighborhood area network; wireless LAN; IP networks; Multimedia systems; Network topology; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber networks; Propulsion; Radio frequency; Throughput; Wireless LAN; Wireless networks;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Local & Metropolitan Area Networks, 2007. LANMAN 2007. 15th IEEE Workshop on

Conference_Location

Princeton, NJ

Print_ISBN

1-4244-1100-9

Electronic_ISBN

1-4244-1100-9

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/LANMAN.2007.4295972

Filename

4295972