A survey of free space optical networks

Free Space Optical （FSO） networks, also known as optical wireless networks, have emerged as viable candidates for broadband wireless communications in the near future. The range of the potential application of FSO networks is extensive, from home to satellite. However, FSO networks have not been popularized because of insufficient availability and reliability. Researchers have focused on the problems in the physical layer in order to exploit the properties of wireless optical channels. However, recent technological developments with successful results make it practical to explore the advantages of the high bandwidth. Some researchers have begun to focus on the problems of network and upper layers in FSO networks. In this survey, we classify prospective global FSO networks into three subnetworks and give an account of them. We also present state-of- the-art research and discuss what kinds of challenges exist.

MIMO free space optical communication based on orthogonal space time block code

An appropriate coding method that can reduce the error rate of communication system is especially important to the free space optical communication. STBC （space-time block code） is an orthogonal encoding method integrating space domain and time domain. The technology can combat fading effectively and improve error rate performance. In this paper, first, an STBC fit for optical communication with intensity modulation and direct detection （IM/DD） is proposed by combining the orthogonality of the Alamouti space-time code and the QPPM modulation. Then, the error rate performance of the system is analyzed under four cases： with or without channel fading, with or without background radiation. At last, this scheme is confirmed by Monte Carlo approach. It is shown that this method not only realizes the full speed rate transmission, and can improve the error rate performance of the system effectively, but also overcomes the scintillation effect exerted by atmosphere turbulence. When the symbol error probability （SEP） is 2×10^-3, according to the 1× 1 system, the sending power of the 2×1 system is nearly reduced by 3.5 dBJ, and the 2×2 system is nearly reduced by 9 dBJ.

DOE effect on BER performance in MSK space uplink chaotic optical communication

With the increasing demand for space optical communication security, space chaotic optical communication has attracted a great amount of attention. Compared with traditional space optical communication, a chaotic optical communication system has a higher bit error rate(BER) for its complex system design. In order to decrease the BER of space chaotic optical communication systems, we introduce two diffractive optical elements(DOEs)at a transmitting terminal(Tx). That is because the commonly used reflective optical antenna at Tx blocks the central part of the transmission beam, which leads to a great amount of power consumption. Introducing the DOEs into the optical subsystem at Tx can reshape the transmission beam from a Gaussian distribution to a hollow Gaussian distribution so that the block of the secondary mirror in the reflective optical antenna can be avoided. In terms of the DOE influence on communication quality, we give a BER model based on a minimumshift-key(MSK) space uplink chaotic optical communication system to describe the DOE function. Based on the model, we further investigate the effect of the DOEs through analyzing the BER relationship versus basic system parameters based on the BER model. Both different mismatch conditions of chaotic systems and different atmospheric turbulence conditions are considered. These results will be helpful for the scheme design of space uplink chaotic optical communication systems.

Sensitivity analysis of an HgCdTe based photovoltaic receiver for long-wavelength free space optical communication systems

We examine theoretically the performance of an Hg0.77Cd0.23Te based p-n photodetector/HFET optical receiver due to its possible application at 10.6 μm free space optical communication system at high bit rate.A rigorous noise model of the receiver has been developed for this purpose.We calculate the total noise and sensitivity of the receiver.The front-end of the receiver exhibits a sensitivity of -45 dBm at a bit rate of 1 Gb/s and -30 dBm at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s,and the total mean-square noise curren t〈i2n〉=5×10-15 A2 at a bit rate of 1 Gb/s an d〈i2n〉 =10-12 A2 at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s,and a 3-dB bandwidth of 10 GHz.

Dynamic spot tracking system based on 2D galvanometer in free space optical communication for short distance

Dynamic tracking of laser spot is a key process in the establishment of free space optical communication. In this paper, a dynamic tracking system was presented. In this system, a two-dimensional （2D） galvanometer was used to change the angle of the optical axis of the incident beam at a certain scanning frequency as optical signal jitter simulator, and another galvanometer was used to track the jitter with quadrant detector （QD） and data processing module to acquire the position information of laser spot. Results indicated that the tracking accuracy of this system mainly composed of 2D galvanometer was as high as 27,8 ~rad, and its linear deviation was less than 0.013. The system could still keep the dynamic tracking of the spot stable when the jitter frequency of the optical signal was less than 1000 Hz. Those results suggested that this system could be suitable for the short distance in free space communication due to its simple structure, easy to control and low cost compared with conventional system.

Technologies and applications of free-space optical communication and space optical information network

Free-space optical communication and space optical information network offer many more superiorities over optical fiber,RF,or microwaves communication techniques,with higher data transfer rate,smaller platforms to launch and lower costs.A comprehensive overview on the architectures of the space high-speed optical information network was provided.In fundamental system,networking approach and operation mechanisms of the space optical information network were fully emphasized to be discussed a lot.The interactions of light waves and microwave network have been outlined.A blueprint for space optical information network technology is presented to be used in various communication fields in the future.