Reliability of Digital FSO Links in Europe

Authors: Zdenek Kolka, Otakar Wilfert, Viera Biolkova

Abstract:

The paper deals with an analysis of visibility records collected from 210 European airports to obtain a realistic estimation of the availability of Free Space Optical (FSO) data links. Commercially available optical links usually operate in the 850nm waveband. Thus the influence of the atmosphere on the optical beam and on the visible light is similar. Long-term visibility records represent an invaluable source of data for the estimation of the quality of service of FSO links. The model used characterizes both the statistical properties of fade depths and the statistical properties of individual fade durations. Results are presented for Italy, France, and Germany.

Keywords: Computer networks, free-space optical links, meteorology, quality of service.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1076552

References:

[1] L. C. Andrews, R. L. Phillips, C. Y. Hopen, Laser Beam Scintillation with Applications. SPIE Press, Washington, 2001.
[2] S. G. Lambert, W. L. Casey, Laser Communication in Space. Artech House, London, 1995.
[3] I. I. Kim, B. McArthur, E. Korevaar, "Comparison of laser beam propagation at 785 nm and 1550 nm in fog and haze for optical wireless communications," in Proc. of SPIE, vol. 4214 Optical Wireless Communications III, ed. Eric J. Korevaar, February 2001, pp. 26-37.
[4] M. Naboulsi, H. Sizun, F. Fornel, "Propagation of optical and infrared waves in the atmosphere," in Proc. of the XXVIIIth URSI General Assembly, New Delhi, October 2005, (CD-ROM).
[5] J. Goldhirsch, W. J. Vogel. (1998). Handbook of Propagation Effects for Vehicular and Personal Mobile Satellite Systems (Online). Available: http://www.utexas.edu/research/mopro/
[6] M. Gebhart, et al., "Measurement of Light Attenuation in Dense Fog Conditions for FSO Applications," in Proc. of SPIE, vol. 5891 Atmospheric Optical Modeling, Measurement, and Simulation, ed. S. M. Doss-Hammel, A. Kohnle, 2005, pp. 175-186.
[7] Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2006.