The Influence of Dense Fog on Optical Wireless Systems, Analysed by Measurements in Graz for Improving the Link-Reliability

Abstract

Free space optics (FSO) has gained considerable importance in this decade of demand for high bandwidth transmission capabilities. FSO can provide a feasible solution for the last mile access problem, but the availability and reliability issues have prevented it from gaining mass acceptance. Thus, a thorough investigation is required into the atmospheric attenuators and their impact on terrestrial FSO. In this work, we present our results about light attenuation at 950 and 850 nm wavelengths in continental city fog conditions with peak values up to 120 dB/km and compare them with the attenuation under dense maritime conditions with peak values up to 480 dB/km. The shown measurements are mainly important for predicting the reliability of FSO links