Opportunities and challenges for optical wireless: the competitive advantage of free space telecommunications links in today's crowded marketplace

摘要

Abstract: Never before has the opportunity for terrestrialoptical wireless communications links been so great.The high data rates attainable, up to OC-24, make it avery attractive and cost effective alternative totraditional fiber optic and microwave links. Withtoday's demand for interactive multimedia-basedapplications, such as video conferencing andtelemedicine, optical wireless products are the onlyones that can provide the needed bandwidth insituations when it is too costly or impossible toinstall fiber optic cable. Recent developments in laserand optics technologies, in addition to auto beamtracking, permit transmission units to achieveexcellent performance rates in all weather conditions.!16