Abstract
The next generation (NG) optical technologies will unveil certain unique features, namely ultra-high data rate, broadband multiple services, scalable bandwidth, and flexible communications for manifold end-users. Among the optical technologies, free space optical (FSO) technology is a key element to achieve free space data transmission according to the requirements of the future technologies, which is due to its cost effective, easy deployment, high bandwidth enabler, and high secured. In this article, we give the overview of the recent progress on FSO technology and the factors that will lead the technology towards ubiquitous application. As part of the review, we provided fundamental concepts across all types of FSO system, including system architecture comprising of single beam and multiple beams. The review is further expanded into the investigation of rain and haze effects toward FSO signal propagation. The final objective that we cover is the scalability of an FSO network via the implementations of hybrid multi-beam FSO system with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology.
Highlights
The free space optical (FSO) communication system is one of the prominent wireless communication systems, which witnessed a massively increasing interest and vast development in the last decade [1]
Some of other terminologies used for FSO technology are Wireless Optical Communication (WOC) [2], Fiber-less [3], and Laser Communication (Lasercom) [2]
Thereafter, the attenuation effects resulted from heavy rain and haze toward the FSO link degradation were explored along with the challenges experienced by the optical beam propagating over the atmospheric link were explained
Summary
The FSO communication system is one of the prominent wireless communication systems, which witnessed a massively increasing interest and vast development in the last decade [1]. Some of other terminologies used for FSO technology are Wireless Optical Communication (WOC) [2], Fiber-less [3], and Laser Communication (Lasercom) [2]. In comparison to fiber optic transmission, FSO technologies are principally the same. Al-Gailani et al.: Survey of FSO Communication Systems, Links, and Networks weather conditions. FSO system should be thoroughly investigated relative to weather conditions, to ensure that the received power is sufficient at the receiver for processing. Many studies were carried out under different environmental conditions and its relative impact to the performance of FSO system [9]. To the best of our knowledge some of the studies have been investigated the FSO transmission conditions in Malaysia, this article will review the properties of the FSO systems and link performance under tropical condition.
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