Free Space Optical Communications: An Overview

Bridging the so-called “last mile” in communication networks has revived keen interest in free-Space Optics (FSO), also known as fiber-free or fiberless optics, which is a technology that transports data via laser technology. It is a line-of-sight technology that currently enables optical transmission up to 2.5 Gbps of data, voice and video through the air at long distances (4km), allowing optical connectivity without deploying fiber-optic cable or securing spectrum licenses. It is moving closer to being a realistic alternative to laying fiber in access networks. This paper presents an introduction to FSO and the current state of its technology.