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Further Industry Development and Testing Required for Free Space Optics
Although OGS (Optical Ground Station) terminals build on the design framework of FSO (Free Space Optics) networks, there are a significant number of parameters which must be addressed when designing an OGS (Optical Ground Station) system, and for each of those parameters there are a multitude of potential schemes that may be employed. PAT…
Read MoreUsing Site Diversity to Minimize Weather Disturbances
A solution widely adopted to minimize adverse environmental (weather) effects is site diversity which involves deploying OGS (Optical Ground Links) in geographic locations carefully selected to minimize the probability of disturbances by adverse weather. For example, a single OGS (Optical Ground Links) site may be available anywhere from 30% of the time in Central Europe…
Read MoreQuality of Service Control
In order to optimize performance, Quality of Service control protocols must be decided upon and implemented to measure data rate, latency, delay jitter, data loss, energy consumption, reliability and throughput efficiency from one node to another within an FSO (Free Space Optics) network. QoS (Quality of Service) classes under consideration by NASA include: Latency-intolerant, High…
Read MoreDeveloping and Testing Mitigation Strategies
Environmental conditions create significant obstructions to completing Satellite to Ground Links (SGL) with OGS (Optical Ground Links). Multiple potential approaches exist to negate environmental effects and maximize transmission efficiency. Those approaches may be considered in two basic categories: 1) methods to improve the reliably of the FSO (Free Space Optics) link and 2) methods to…
Read MorePotential Applications Through Free Space Optics
FSO (Free Space Optics) has multiple potential applications in both commercial and government networks. The need for increasingly higher bandwidth and economically viable data transmission solutions are driving demand for an alternative to RF (Radio Frequency). FSO (Free Space Optics) can deliver cost-effective connectivity and generate faster returns-on-investment (ROI) for service providers. Regardless of whether…
Read MoreThe Challenges Facing Free Space Optics
In addition to determining the correct design parameters to meet the specifications necessary to achieve the desired communications performance and be interoperable with any prior existing components such as an optical space terminal (OST), the OGS (Optical Ground Links) must be designed to mitigate the adverse effects of clouds, atmospheric turbulence and other environmental conditions.…
Read MoreKeeping Data Secure with Free Space Optics
One of the security risks of wireless transmissions is the interception of data. The broader the footprint of a signal when it reaches the Earth, the easier it is to intercept as the energy of the signal can be received over a larger geographic area. The signal footprint of a traditional RF (Radio Frequency) satellite…
Read MoreAttaining Faster Data Transmission Through Free Space Optics
As with most all enterprises using data, the demand for the speed of the transmission of data through networks is always increasing. Within the satellite industry, modern High Throughput Satellites (HTS) deliver uplink and downlink data via spot beams at speeds up to 100 Mbps per user. However even at such speeds, the satellite…
Read MoreWireless Communication Through Free Space Optics
Free Space Optics refers to the transmission of modulated visible or infrared beams through the atmosphere to obtain broadband communications. How does this work? Data is transmitted wirelessly by light propagating in free space, like through an ambient or environmental vacuum like space. The energy beam is collimated and sent through air or space from…
Read MoreFree Space Optics vs. Fiber Optics
Free-space optical technology (FSO) uses light, propagating in free space to transmit data between two points. This is useful where physical connections by means of fiber optic cable are impractical due to high costs, lengthy installations or destructive installations. Similar to Fiber Optics, Free Space Optics uses a light emitting diode or laser as a…
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