Free-space-optical communication systems for next generation optical access networks

Abstract

The ever-increasing demand for higher data rates communication services, has led to the innovation of new advanced technologies and techniques over communication systems with the ultimate goal to fulfil the requirements of the next generation networks (e.g. 5G and beyond). To address these requirements, Free space optics (FSO) systems have been recognized as a promising wireless interconnecting technology for high-capacity communication networks, ensuring data rates similar to those offered by optical fiber systems but at a fraction of its deployment cost. They combine both the advantages of high transmission capacity enabled by optical device technologies and the ease of deployment and mobility of wireless links. In this talk, we discuss the system requirements for a reliable and resilient wireless link, including the transceiver structures design, as well as the practical challenging issues facing the real deployment of these systems and to address them. We also introduce our next generation all-optical FSO terminal based on an intelligent optical beam stabilizer (OBS), utilizing a cost-effective voice-coil motors (VCM). Our proposed system can enable wider transceiver field of view (FOV), as well as reliable and high-capacity communication system, with lower cost and complexity.