Keeping 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 signal is quite large, often covering an entire continent.

OSN (Optical Satellite Networks) have inherent security due to the highly focused nature of the communication beam. FSO (Free Space Optics) creates a much narrower signal than traditional RF (Radio Frequency) transmission and it stays narrow for the entire journey.  As an unauthorized interceptor of a transmission must be physically within the footprint of the transmission in order to receive the signal and as the geographic footprint of the FSO (Free Space Optics) transmission is much smaller, FSO (Free Space Optics) transmissions are more difficult to intercept. FSO’s (Free Space Optics) inherently smaller footprint makes it a lower security risk.