The Bright Future of Wireless Communications Free Space Optics The Bright Future of Wireless Communications

Lasers in Free Space?

What is FSO? Line of sight free space (wireless) transmission technology Utilizes light (laser) to transfer data Delivers high speed secure connection Offers economical solution (low power consumption, no wide radiation)

Optical Transmission Fibre Optic TX Fibre Optic Transceiver RX Optical fibre Laser transmitter Receiver Diode TX optics RX Optics Optical fibre

Optical Transmission Free Space TX Transmitter Free Space Optics Receiver RX Laser transmitter Receiver Diode TX optics RX Optics

Why Free Space Optics? License-free operation High bandwidth High data security No interference issues Rapid deployment/re-deployment Excellent price/performance (low cost per bit)

Link Dynamic Range Power Budget Margin Receiver sensitivity Distance

Multibeam Systems To increase power To Compensate building swaying To introduce redundancy

Reliable Operation 99.9 - 99.999 %

Eye Safety Optical apertures/surfaces NOHD Values Human eye 7 mm Human eye Optical apertures/surfaces TX optics: 1962 mm2 Footprint: 196250 mm2 Human eye: 38 mm2 NOHD Values 1.8 m – 85 m

Birds, UFO’s,… Chance to block the beam < 10-12 Chance for UFO…?

Competitive Analysis Fibre Leased Line Radio Microwave

Alternative To Fibre Cost of installation Speed of installation Flexibility

Alternative To Leased Line Bandwidth Cost of ownership vs. leasing cost

Alternative To ISM Band Radio Bandwidth Reliability Security

Alternative To Microwave Licensing Speed Price Difficulty of installation

Application Summary Laser Link -High Speed -No frequency license -Secure -Rapid deployment Microwave Frequency license Speed Microwave Frequency license Speed Security? Headquarters Branch Office Fiber Optic Cable Expensive Long installation time

Typical Users GSM/UMTS Corporate telephone Telco networks Corporate LAN Internet Temporary Applications Backup links

Corporate Networks - LAN 100 Mbps LAN A LAN B

Corporate Networks - Telephone 2 Mbps (E1) Local subscribers Local subscribers Telephone Exchange Telephone Exchange

Carriers – Last Mile Access Fat pipe to corporate users Support residential areas Set up alternative routes Expand bandwidth

Carriers – Last Mile Access Existing Network Corporate Users Residential Area Industrial Areas

Mobile Operators – BTS Access 2 Mbps – 34 Mbps (E1-E3) Base Station Controller (BSC) Base Transmitter Station (BTS)

ISP’s – Metro Area Networks Point of Presence (POP) Residential Residential Corporate Users Residential

Temporary Installations Disaster recovery Satisfy prompt or temporary needs Office leasing (corporate) Rapid network expansion (Telco)

Backup Links To provide 24 hours a day availability High speed secure connection Alternative data path

Market Analysis Customer Base Market Expectations Reasons

Customer Base Carriers and Telco’s Internet Service Providers Landline and wireless services Last mile access Internet Service Providers Companies and corporations of all size Campuses Hospitals Factories Offices

Market Expectations Merrill Lynch: FreeSpace Optics 15 May 2001

Need for Bandwidth Convergence in communication Increasing number of subscribers Demanding wireless apps (3G, UMTS) Internet boom