Channel Performance Evaluation of Wireless Communication Networks

Abstract

Wireless networks have gained tremendous popularity in recent years. Optical wireless technology is an alternative to RF wireless as it offers large capacity, high data rates, larger bandwidth, a license free spectrum and fast deployment. Optical wireless communication uses optical beams to transmit data in free space. In this paper, an overview on wireless networks, the need of optical wireless networks, applications, advantages, disadvantages, comparison between RF wireless and optical communication are discussed. In wireless networks the channel used is an atmosphere or free space which is not an ideal channel for communication as it is affected by various environmental factors like rain, fog, haze, smoke etc. This paper also discusses various losses like atmospheric absorption, scattering, atmospheric turbulence and geometric losses, its mitigation techniques, the first mile problem and Pointing Acquisition and Tracking (PAT).