Broadband Access using the Unlicensed Wireless 60 GHz band and Free Space Optics

摘要

The exploration of wireless alternatives for Broadband access has continued to be very important to service providers. The Line-of-sight (LOS) Free Space Laser (FSL) and 60-GHz radios are two promising wireless alternatives since they fall in the FCC license-free spectrum and thereby mitigate the tremendous expense of spectrum acquisition. However, the FSL solution is very limited as a carrier solution because of its very short (<300m) range when a 99.95% or higher link availability is required. The license-free 60 GHz radio can deliver similar links over a much longer distance than FSL solutions even when a higher link availability of 99.999% is required. The 60-GHz OC-12 link can reach 350 to 650 meters over continental US, depending on the rain regions and availability.