Title :
Free-Space Optical Communications
Author :
Chan, Vincent W S
Author_Institution :
Lab. for Inf. & Decision Syst., MIT, Cambridge, MA
Abstract :
With recent successes of laboratory, inatmosphere, and space demonstrations of free-space optical communications, there is no doubt that the technology is ready for operational deployment. While these successes have shown that there are no laws of physics against such systems, their estimated system costs are still much too high for serious considerations. Two types of development can reduce the cost dramatically. The first is via the improvement of physical-link communication efficiency by an order of magnitude using photon-counting receivers for vacuum channels, system complexity, weight, and power for space systems can be greatly reduced. The second is through the use of coherent systems in links where clear-air turbulence impairs communication efficiency, and in multiple access applications where coherent processing can reduce the level of interference, significant reduction in system costs can be realized
Keywords :
atmospheric turbulence; light coherence; optical links; optical receivers; satellite communication; clear-air turbulence; coherent processing; coherent systems; free-space optical communications; free-space optical networking; interference level reduction; multiple access applications; photon-counting receivers; physical-link communication efficiency; satellite networks; space systems; system complexity; system cost reduction; vacuum channels; Adaptive optics; Aircraft; Atmosphere; Costs; Integrated optics; Optical distortion; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber networks; Optical receivers; Space technology; Free-space optical networking; multiple-access optical channel; satellite networks; space optical communications; turbulent atmospheric optical channel;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JLT.2006.885252
