Classification Framework for Free Space Optical Communication
1 Classification Framework for Free Space Optical Communication Links and Systems Abdelbaset S. Hamza, Member, IEEE, Jitender S. Deogun, Member, IEEE, Dennis R. Alexander Abstract—Free Space Optical (FSO) communication technol- performance-sensitive. The IoT market is expected to grow ogy, also known as Optical Wireless Communications (OWC), has from 9.1 billion devices and objects connected to the In- regained a great interest over the last few years. In some cases, ternet in 2013 to 28.1 billion by 2020 [1], that is more FSO is seen as an alternative to existing technologies, such as radio frequency. In other cases, FSO is considered as a strong than three times the global population expected by 2020. candidate to complement and integrate with next-generation As such applications and systems rapidly move closer to technologies, such as 5G wireless networks. Accordingly, FSO end users, wireless communication systems, are the favored technology is being widely deployed in various indoor (e.g., data communication technologies as they allow for user mobility. centers), terrestrial (e.g., mobile networks), space (e.g., inter- Moreover, wireless technologies avoid most of the inherent satellite and deep space communication), and underwater systems (e.g., underwater sensing). As the application portfolio of FSO complexity that wired technologies suffer from, such as, long technology grows, so does the need for a clear classification for setup time, right of the way for digging, and the sunk cost once FSO link configurations. Most existing surveys and classifications the cables are laid [2]. It is expected that two-thirds of total are single-level classifications, and thus not inclusive enough to IP traffic by 2020 will be generated by wireless and mobile accommodate recent and emerging changes and developments of devices [3].
[Show full text]