Performance analysis of Free Space Optics link at different data rates

Abstract

FSO technology offers the potential of broadband communication capacity using unlicensed optical wavelengths. FSO is an independent protocol that can be fixed to any network topology. Even if a line-of-sight condition of Free Space Optics (FSO) is satisfied, atmospheric-induced fading, scattering, and attenuation may severely deteriorate the availability of the communication link. In this paper the proposed FSO link with link range of 500 meters and at wavelength of 1550 nm is simulated under weak turbulence conditions and the link performance is evaluated at different data rates.