1. The Bright Future of Wireless Communications
Free Space Optics
The Bright Future of Wireless Communications

2. Lasers in Free Space?

3. What is FSO?
Line of sight free space (wireless) transmission technology
Utilizes light (laser) to transfer data
Delivers high speed secure connection
Offers economical solution (low power consumption, no wide radiation)

4. Optical Transmission Fibre Optic TX Fibre Optic Transceiver RX
Optical fibre
Laser
transmitter
Receiver
Diode
TX optics
RX Optics
Optical fibre

5. Optical Transmission Free Space TX Transmitter Free Space Optics
Receiver RX
Laser
transmitter
Receiver
Diode
TX optics
RX Optics

6. Why Free Space Optics? License-free operation High bandwidth
High data security
No interference issues
Rapid deployment/re-deployment
Excellent price/performance (low cost per bit)

7. Link Dynamic Range Power Budget Margin Receiver sensitivity Distance

8. Multibeam Systems To increase power To Compensate building swaying
To introduce redundancy

9. Reliable Operation %

10. Eye Safety Optical apertures/surfaces NOHD Values Human eye
7 mm
Human eye
Optical apertures/surfaces
TX optics: 1962 mm2
Footprint: mm2
Human eye: 38 mm2
NOHD Values
1.8 m – 85 m

11. Birds, UFO’s,…
Chance to block the beam < 10-12
Chance for UFO…?

12. Competitive Analysis
Fibre
Leased Line
Radio
Microwave

13. Alternative To Fibre Cost of installation Speed of installation
Flexibility

14. Alternative To Leased Line
Bandwidth
Cost of ownership
vs.
leasing cost

15. Alternative To ISM Band Radio
Bandwidth
Reliability
Security

16. Alternative To Microwave
Licensing
Speed
Price
Difficulty of installation

17. Application Summary Laser Link -High Speed -No frequency license
-Secure
-Rapid deployment
Microwave
Frequency license
Speed
Microwave
Frequency license
Speed
Security?
Headquarters
Branch Office
Fiber Optic Cable
Expensive
Long installation time

18. Typical Users GSM/UMTS Corporate telephone Telco networks
Corporate LAN
Internet
Temporary Applications
Backup links

19. Corporate Networks - LAN
100 Mbps
LAN A
LAN B

20. Corporate Networks - Telephone
2 Mbps (E1)
Local
subscribers
Local
subscribers
Telephone
Exchange
Telephone
Exchange

21. Carriers – Last Mile Access
Fat pipe to corporate users
Support residential areas
Set up alternative routes
Expand bandwidth

22. Carriers – Last Mile Access
Existing
Network
Corporate Users
Residential Area
Industrial Areas

23. Mobile Operators – BTS Access
2 Mbps – 34 Mbps (E1-E3)
Base Station
Controller (BSC)
Base Transmitter
Station (BTS)

24. ISP’s – Metro Area Networks
Point of Presence (POP)
Residential
Residential
Corporate
Users
Residential

25. Temporary Installations
Disaster recovery
Satisfy prompt or temporary needs
Office leasing (corporate)
Rapid network expansion (Telco)

26. Backup Links To provide 24 hours a day availability
High speed secure connection
Alternative data path

27. Market Analysis
Customer Base
Market Expectations
Reasons

28. Customer Base Carriers and Telco’s Internet Service Providers
Landline and wireless services
Last mile access
Internet Service Providers
Companies and corporations of all size
Campuses
Hospitals
Factories
Offices

29. Market Expectations
Merrill Lynch: FreeSpace Optics 15 May 2001

30. Need for Bandwidth Convergence in communication
Increasing number of subscribers
Demanding wireless apps (3G, UMTS)
Internet boom