Performance Evaluation of Next Generation Free-Space Optical Communication System

Free-space optical communication systems can provide high-speed, improved capacity, cost effective and easy to deploy wireless networks. Experimental investigation on the next generation free-space optical (FSO) communication system utilizing seamless connection of freespace and optical fiber links is presented. A compact antenna which utilizes a miniature fine positioning mirror (FPM) for high-speed beam control and steering is described. The effect of atmospheric turbulence on the beam angle-of-arrival (AOA) fluctuations is shown. The FPM is able to mitigate the power fluctuations at the fiber coupling port caused by this beam angle-of-arrival fluctuations. Experimental results of the FSO system capable of offering stable performance in terms of measured bit-error-rate (BER) showing error free transmission at 2.5 Gbps over extended period of time and improved fiber received power are presented. Also presented are performance results showing stable operation when increasing the FSO communication system data rate from 2.5 Gbps to 10 Gbps as well as WDM experiments. key words: free-space optical (FSO) communication, fine positioning mirror (FPM), scintillation, angle-of-arrival (AOA) fluctuations, atmospheric turbulence