Free Space Optics

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Free Space Optics
The Bright Future of Wireless Communications
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Lasers in Free Space?
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What is FSO?

• Line of sight free space (wireless) transmission
  technology
• Utilizes light (laser) to transfer data
• Delivers high speed secure connection
• Offers economical solution (low power
  consumption, no wide radiation)

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Optical Transmission
Fibre Optic
TX
Fibre Optic Transceiver
RX
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Optical Transmission
Free Space
TX
Transmitter
Free Space Optics
Receiver
RX
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Why Free Space Optics?

• License-free operation
• High bandwidth
• High data security
• No interference issues
• Rapid deployment/re-deployment
• Excellent price/performance (low cost per bit)

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Link Dynamic Range
Power
Margin (Dynamic Range)
Budget
Receiver sensitivity
Distance
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Multibeam Systems

• To increase power
• To Compensate building swaying
• To introduce redundancy

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Reliable Operation
99.9 - 99.999
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Eye Safety
7 mm
Human eye
Optical apertures/surfaces TX optics 1962
mm2 Footprint 196250 mm2 Human eye 38 mm2
NOHD Values 1.8 m 85 m
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Birds, UFOs,
Chance to block the beam lt 10-12
Chance for UFO?
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Competitive Analysis

• Fibre
• Leased Line
• Radio
• Microwave

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Alternative To Fibre

• Cost of installation
• Speed of installation
• Flexibility

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Alternative To Leased Line

• Bandwidth
• Cost of ownership
• vs.
• leasing cost

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Alternative To ISM Band Radio

• Bandwidth
• Reliability
• Security

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Alternative To Microwave

• Licensing
• Speed
• Price
• Difficulty of installation

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Application Summary
Laser Link -High Speed -No frequency
license -Secure -Rapid deployment

• Microwave
• Frequency license
• Speed

• Microwave
• Frequency license
• Speed

Security?
Headquarters
Branch Office

• Fiber Optic Cable
• Expensive
• Long installation time

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Typical Users

• GSM/UMTS
• Corporate telephone
• Telco networks
• Corporate LAN
• Internet
• Temporary Applications
• Backup links

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Corporate Networks - LAN
100 Mbps
LAN A
LAN B
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Corporate Networks - Telephone
2 Mbps (E1)
Local subscribers
Local subscribers
Telephone Exchange
Telephone Exchange
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Carriers Last Mile Access

• Fat pipe to corporate users
• Support residential areas
• Set up alternative routes
• Expand bandwidth

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Carriers Last Mile Access
Existing Network
Corporate Users
Residential Area
Industrial Areas
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Mobile Operators BTS Access
2 Mbps 34 Mbps (E1-E3)
Base Station Controller (BSC)
Base Transmitter Station (BTS)
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ISPs Metro Area Networks
Point of Presence (POP)
Residential
Residential
Corporate Users
Residential
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Temporary Installations

• Disaster recovery
• Satisfy prompt or temporary needs
• Office leasing (corporate)
• Rapid network expansion (Telco)

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Backup Links

• To provide 24 hours a day availability
• High speed secure connection
• Alternative data path

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Market Analysis

• Customer Base
• Market Expectations
• Reasons

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Customer Base

• Carriers and Telcos
• Landline and wireless services
• Last mile access
• Internet Service Providers
• Companies and corporations of all size
• Campuses
• Hospitals
• Factories
• Offices

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Market Expectations
Merrill Lynch FreeSpace Optics 15 May 2001
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Need for Bandwidth

• Convergence in communication
• Increasing number of subscribers
• Demanding wireless apps (3G, UMTS)
• Internet boom