Performance Analysis of Free Space Optics Link for Different Cloud Conditions

Abstract

FSO stands for free space optics which is a communication technology in which information is being transferred from one point (transmitter) to another (receiver) by propagation of light in free space (atmosphere). Its working is similar to that of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) network but it does not require any cables. It is faster than OFC communication and is also a cost effective technique. But its performance is affected by many parameters like internal (wavelength, optical power, etc.) and external (visibility, cloud conditions, scintillation, atmospheric attenuation, etc There are ten different types of clouds with their own liquid water content (LWC) which in turn results in attenuations and affects the visibility range. This paper predicts the visibility/range of the link as a result of attenuation due to different cloud conditions. Quality of the received signal has been analyzed as a function of link range, transmitted power and data rate for different cloud types, in order to have proper reception of the signal avoiding link failure.