8 x 10-Gb/s terrestrial optical free-space transmission over 3.4 km using an optical repeater

Abstract

We propose using optical repeaters in optical free-space communication systems to increase the transmission-length stably. We demonstrate an 8 /spl times/ 10-Gb/s terrestrial optical free-space transmission over 3.4 km using an optical repeater at the halfway. The optical repeater not only amplifies the signal channels but also prevents the accumulation of the detrimental scintillation noise during the propagation.