Performance Analysis and Enhancement of Free Space Optical Links for Developing State-Of-The-Art Smart City Framework
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hv photonics Article Performance Analysis and Enhancement of Free Space Optical Links for Developing State-of-the-Art Smart City Framework Sonali Chauhan 1, Rajan Miglani 1 , Lavish Kansal 1, Gurjot Singh Gaba 1 and Mehedi Masud 2,* 1 Department of Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India; [email protected] (S.C.); [email protected] (R.M.); [email protected] (L.K.); [email protected] (G.S.G.) 2 Department of Computer Science, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 5 November 2020; Accepted: 14 December 2020; Published: 16 December 2020 Abstract: In this paper, we have investigated and reported the performance of free-space optical (FSO) links operating in adverse atmospheric conditions. Since FSO links share operational similarity with fiber communication; hence, we believe that a cost-effective FSO framework can play a significant role in the transparent integration of high-speed network access backbones with the end-users. Different modulation formats, complemented with spatial diversity techniques, are discussed in this paper to strategize performance optimization of FSO links. Using bit error rate (BER) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as performance metrics, it was found that binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) qualifies as the best technique modulation technique delivering SNR gain of 10 dB over on–off keying (OOK) operating link under similar channel conditions. Further performance optimization was achieved using space diversity reception wherein SNR witnessed a gain of 3 dB gain over the single-channel FSO link. In terms of application, the proposed model can help in developing a citizen-centric smart city ecosystem that can support seamless communication between heterogeneous smart devices. Keywords: free-space optics (FSO); smart cities; last-mile connectivity; local area network (LAN); gamma–gamma channel model; space diversity reception technique (SDRT); selection combining (SC) 1. Introduction 1.1. Preliminaries Over the past few years, communication technology and related innovations have taken a huge leap in transforming the meaning of connectivity. Today we are surrounded by a range of diverse communication technologies like smartwatches, smartphones and smart T.V., etc., to name a few, and all such devices demand seamless data connectivity for an optimized and rich user experience. With the exponential growth of data demand and an anticipated similar aggressive trend in the near future, it is believed that existing radio-frequency (RF) infrastructure will face an acute spectrum shortage in coping with the exponential increase in user data demands [1–4]. The advent of optical fiber communication or light-wave communication as it may be commonly known is, although a promising contender in delivering high-speed data networks, then it falls short on key features like end-user mobility. Furthermore, installation and maintenance costs of optical fiber links make them economically unviable for the majority of the end-users, and it is for the same reason that despite being within a mile distance from fiber networks, approximately 75% of households in North America do Photonics 2020, 7, 132; doi:10.3390/photonics7040132 www.mdpi.com/journal/photonics Photonics 2020, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 16 Photonicseconomically2020, 7, 132unviable for the majority of the end-users, and it is for the same reason that despite2 of 16 being within a mile distance from fiber networks, approximately 75% of households in North America do not have access to fiber bandwidth [4–6]. As shown in Figure 1, free-space optical notcommunication, have access to which fiber essentially bandwidth a [4subclass–6]. As of shown optical in wireless Figure1, communication free-space optical (OWC) communication, technology, whichuses the essentially atmosphere a subclass as an unguided of optical medium wireless communicationfor the propagation (OWC) of optically technology, modulated uses the information atmosphere assignal. an unguided Using a set medium of electrical-to-optical for the propagation and optica of opticallyl-to-electrical modulated circuits, information FSO systems signal. are Using capable a set of oftransmitting electrical-to-optical user information and optical-to-electrical onto an optical carrier circuits, and FSO then systems convert are back capable to the of transmittingelectrical domain user informationat the receiver. onto Since an opticalthe underlying carrier andhardware then convert and transmission back to the mechanism electrical domainused in atFSO the systems receiver. is Sincevery much the underlying the same hardwareas in light-wave and transmission networks, hence mechanism the FSO used links in are FSO capable systems of is delivering very much high- the samespeed as access in light-wave of the order networks, of Gbps hence to thethe FSOend-users links are [1,4,6]. capable Misc ofellaneous delivering advantages high-speed accessof FSO of link the orderinclude: ofGbps (a) plug-and-play to the end-users installation [1,4,6]. Miscellaneous behavior, (b) advantages installations of FSOcosts link approximately include: (a) plug-and-play 1/10th of the installationfiber links, (c) behavior, ultra-wide (b) bandwi installationsdth, (d)unmatched costs approximately user data 1/ 10thsecurity, of the and fiber (e) license-free links, (c) ultra-wide spectrum bandwidth,[1,7,8]. (d)unmatched user data security, and (e) license-free spectrum [1,7,8]. Figure 1. Block diagram of signal modulation, propagation and detection in free-space optics (FSO) link. Figure 1. Block diagram of signal modulation, propagation and detection in free-space optics (FSO) Risinglink. urbanization, population expansion, elevated living costs and desire for better living standards has created an urgent need for optimum usage of resources through the creation of smart cities.Rising Smart urbanization, cities are designed population to look expansion, after the elevated welfare living of their costs citizens and desire through for the better optimum living distributionstandards has of benefitscreated whilean urgent ensuring need sustainedfor optimum development. usage of resources An intelligent through traffi thec system creation is oneof smart such examplecities. Smart wherein cities the are tra ffidesignedc lights areto managedlook after dynamically the welfare to of ensure their acitizens smooth through and safe flowthe optimum of traffic, thusdistribution reducing of commuting benefits while time ensuring and carbon sustained emissions. development. Figure2 illustrates An intelligent a smart traffic city frameworksystem is one in whichsuch example FSO links wherein have been the proposedtraffic lights to serve are manage citizensd with dynamically high-speed to dataensure access a smooth in diff erentand safe possible flow ways.of traffic, Case thus A, for reducing example, commuti shown inng Figure time 2and, illustrates carbon end-to-endemissions. opticalFigure bandwidth 2 illustrates connectivity a smart city to far-flungframework and in remotewhich FSO locations links throughhave been the proposed use of FSO to serve relay citizens nodes. Sincewith high-speed FSO links can data be access used asin plugdifferent and playpossible devices ways. with Case line-of-sight A, for example, (LOS) connectivity shown in hence, Figure in 2, adverse illustrates geographical end-to-end conditions optical wherebandwidth installing connectivity RF links orto diggingfar-flung earth and forremote laying loca fiberstions is through an arduous the task,use of FSO FSO links relay can nodes. serve asSince an idealFSO links solution. can be The used use as of plug amplify-and-forward and play devices with relay line-of-sight nodes to connect (LOS) end-users connectivity with hence, fiber in backbone adverse hasgeographical also been proposedconditions in where [7]. Another installing possible RF links application or digging of FSOearth systems for laying towards fibers smart is an cities arduous can betask, developing FSO links intelligentcan serve as tra anffi cideal mechanisms. solution. The The use hybrid-FSO of amplify-and-forward links have been relay previously nodes to shown connect to beend-users interoperable with fiber with backbone RF and visiblehas also light been communication proposed in [7]. (VLC) Another standards possible [9]. application Case B, shown of FSO in Figuresystems2, towards proposes smart the application cities can be of developing FSO to serve intelligent fast-moving traffic tramechanisms.ffic and pedestrians The hybrid-FSO with links data connectivityhave been previously through RF shown and VLC to be links. interoperable The data aggregation with RF and of travisibleffic intensity light commu throughnication technology (VLC) featurestandards such [9]. as Case the Internet B, shown of thingsin Figure (IoT) 2, canproposes be used the to application manage service of FSO lanes, to serve traffi cfast-moving lights and related traffic infrastructure to ensure smooth traffic flow [9–11]. The third and most significant application will be Photonics 2020, 7, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 16 and pedestrians with data connectivity through RF and VLC links. The data aggregation of traffic Photonicsintensity2020 through, 7, 132 technology feature such as the Internet of things (IoT) can be used to manage3 of 16 service lanes, traffic lights and related infrastructure to ensure smooth traffic flow [9–11].