Abstract
The use of hybrid free-space optical (FSO)/radio frequency (RF) links can provide robust, high-throughput communication networks for both commercial and military applications. The free-space optical communication (FSOC) links can be operated at data rates much greater than that of RF links. However, the deleterious effects of the atmosphere can cause loss of received power and long fades on the FSOC link. The RF link can be used as a control link for the FSOC system and thereby increase the reliability of the FSOC links. Various compensation techniques have recently been used to address many of the deleterious atmospheric effects on the FSOC channel, thus permitting the use of optical communication links over very long distances.
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Notes
- 1.
FOC did have its own channel effects to deal with, but their resolution is a major success story that will not be covered here.
- 2.
Note that an air or ground platform is likely to have a single router; thus, “node” and “platform” are used interchangeably throughout this article.
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Andrews, L., Phillips, R., Bagley, Z., Plasson, N., Stotts, L. (2015). Hybrid Optical/Radio Frequency (RF) Communications. In: Advanced Free Space Optics (FSO). Springer Series in Optical Sciences, vol 186. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0918-6_9
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