Laser communication

Introduction Laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere. They work similarly to fiber optic links, except the beam is transmitted through free space. While the transmitter and receiver must require line-of-sight conditions, they have the benefit of eliminating the need for broadcast rights and buried cables. Laser communications systems can be easily deployed since they are inexpensive, small, low power and do not require any radio interference studies. The carrier used for the transmission signal is typically generated by a laser diode. Two parallel beams are needed, one for transmission and one for reception. Due to budget restrictions, the system implemented in this project is only one way.

Laser communications have been a hot topic lately, as solutions for how to satisfy ever increasing bandwidth needs are in high demand. Some have suggested that bandwidth could be distributed in neighborhoods by putting laser communication systems on top of homes and pointing them towards a common transceiver with a fast link to the Internet. With possible transmit speeds of up to a gigabit per second, this is an exciting area. Other applications for this technology include temporary connectivity needs (e.g. sporting events, disaster scenes, or conventions), or space based communications. The various communication modes provide us the various routes and channels through which the data and information can flow among individuals. The individual will never come to know what the other person is thinking, unless and until the information is shared. Communication does not merely mean sharing ones thoughts. The receiver after decoding the information must respond accordingly and also provide feedback to the speaker. The communication loop has to be complete to make it effective and simple. Communication can be between individuals, and even between machines. The flow of information can be from a human being to equipment and vice versa. Just like the satellite mode of communication or the optical mode of communication, communication can also occur with the help of Laser and microwave. These are also modes of communication which help in the

transmission of signals from the sender to the receiver. Let us go through them one by one.

Laser Communication System Laser communication system is another mode of telecommunication which occurs through wireless connections in the atmosphere. Laser communication came into existence in 1960 and since then many advancements have been made in this discipline. In this mode of communication, the information is transferred through free space. In the laser mode of communication; the signals are transmitted from the wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver without any hindrance or obstruction. Such condition is also called line of sight condition where the signals are transmitted without any obstruction. Laser diode is the major carrier in this mode of communication. It does not require any kind of wires and cables and hence is not a very expensive mode of communication. This mode of communication is also faster as compared to the other modes and thus is mostly preferred over other types of communication system. One thing to be careful in a laser mode of communication is that the signals must flow without any hindrance. Microwave communication system Microwave communication occurs with the help of microwaves. Let us first try to understand what are microwaves ? The radiowaves whose wavelengths can be conveniently measured in small numbers of centimeters with the help of various electronic technologies are called as Microwaves. Thus a microwave communication is majorly with the help of radiowaves with a small and a measurable wavelength. In this mode of communication, antennas of convenient sizes are instrumental in carrying the radiowaves to facilitate the microwave communication. Lets go back to the history to find out more about microwave mode of communication.

The technology for microwave communication came into picture in 1940 in Western Union. After five years in 1945, the first microwave message was sent between towers, one located in New York and the other tower located in Philadelphia. After the successful transmission of microwave message, this became the most commonly used mode of data transmission. There are two types of Microwave communication. Analog and Digital Microwave communication, where digital is more advanced as compared to analog microwave system. Both the above are communication types which help in the transmission of signals for the process of communication to take place. Whether it is satellite, or optical, or laser, or microwave their objective is same - the transmission of signals from one party to the other. Conclusion The laser beam width can be made as narrow as the diffraction limit of the optic allows. This is given by beam width = 1.22 times the wavelength of light divided by the radius of the output beam aperture. The antennae gain is proportional to the reciprocal of the beam width squared. To achieve the potential diffraction limited beam width a single mode high beam quality laser source is required; together with very high quality optical components throughout the transmitting sub system. The possible antennae gain is restricted not only by the laser source but also by the any of the optical elements. In order to communicate, adequate power must be received by the detector, to distinguish the signal from the noise. Laser power, transmitter, optical system losses, pointing system imperfections, transmitter and receiver antennae gains, receiver losses, receiver tracking losses are factors in establishing receiver power. The required optical power is determined by data rate, detector sensitivity, modulation format ,noise and detection methods.