Hybrid Free Space Optical / Millimeter Wave Outdoor Links for Broadband Wireless Access Networks

Abstract

As the backbone and the metropolitan area network technologies can increasingly provide unprecedented bandwidth capacities, the focus is being gradually shifted toward broadband access technologies capable of connecting the customer premises to the local exchange. This paper reviews the prospects of state-of-the art Free Space Optical (FSO) technology, as a last mile solution, combined with Millimeter Wave (MMW) systems aiming at increasing both the link range and service availability while providing reliable broadband connections at distances above 1 Km. An overview of the hybrid FSO/MMW system that has been deployed in Athens, Greece, is provided and a brief introduction to the trials that are to be conducted is given.