Free-space optical communications performance in the presence of interfering laser signals

Hakki H. Refai; James J. Sluss Jr.; Hazem H. Refai

doi:10.1117/12.605704

25 May 2005 Free-space optical communications performance in the presence of interfering laser signals

Hakki H. Refai, James J. Sluss Jr., Hazem H. Refai

Proceedings Volume 5793, Atmospheric Propagation II; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.605704
Event: Defense and Security, 2005, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Free-space optics (FSO) is a technology that uses modulated optical beams to transmit information in a line-of-sight fashion to achieve a high-bandwidth communications link. FSO technology has been investigated for military and civilian “last mile” applications for many years and, more recently, has generated interest for space-based applications. As the use of FSO technology grows, the potential for optical interference that degrades FSO network performance, whether intentional (jamming) or otherwise, becomes a matter of increasing importance. The investigation described in this paper examined the effects of interference upon the operation and performance of a point-to-point FSO link connecting two virtual local area networks. The sources of interference were laser pulses of varying energy, wavelength, and repetition rate produced from a nitrogen-pumped, tunable dye laser. The study evaluated the effect upon FSO link performance of varying the output power of the interfering source for a fixed wavelength, of varying the wavelength of the source for a fixed power, and of varying the pulse repetition rate of the source. The results of the study indicated that FSO link performance was negatively influenced by such interference.

Citation Download Citation

Hakki H. Refai, James J. Sluss Jr., and Hazem H. Refai "Free-space optical communications performance in the presence of interfering laser signals", Proc. SPIE 5793, Atmospheric Propagation II, (25 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.605704

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