With light, but without the fiber

British scientists have started work on a new wireless communication system not using ubiquitous radio waves but laser light. The new technology, as usual, has been originally focused on military applications, but it can be quickly implemented in the civilian sector where the demand for broadband solutions is enormous. Until then, however, the scientists have to complete a series of tests. At the moment, they are carrying on research on the transmission of audio signals from drones to a receiving station. As a sample they use the well-known AC/DC song - "Highway to Hell".

Such drones are to use laser communications

 

 

The main problem of unmanned military aircraft (combat or espionage) is the limited range of operation. To increase the range, engineers gradually reduce the weight of the machines, using lighter components and weapons, which translates into a reduction in fuel consumption of their engines and possibility of longer missions.

EADS researchers led by Yoann Thueux are aimed to introduce a new wireless communication system called Dazzle. Comparatively heavy radio equipment is to be replaced by an optoelectronic device reflecting and modulating the laser light emitted from a control station. So, the principle is simple - the laser beam directed at the flying drone is reflected by the machine back to the the station, together with data from sensors and cameras, and the information is received and processed by the station.

The technology is relatively cheap and provides very efficient data transmission, even at data rates up to 1Gbps. What's more - eavesdropping or monitoring of the transmitted data is not possible, which is extremely important for military applications. Currently, the range of the laser link is limited to about 2 km, but it is probably only a temporary inconvenience.

Research on this technology has been ongoing for some time. In 2008, Hani J. Kbashi from the University in Baghdad published a study on theoretical principles, basic calculations and practical solutions for laser equipment for wireless transmission using Intensity Modulation with Direct Detection (IM/ DD). The EADS project is carried out in parallel and employs the same transmission method.

In the near future, wireless optical transmission may revolutionize the market for multimedia services. Extremely broadband characteristics and easy implementation are the factors that can decide on the popularity of this technology. Maybe, in a short time the light will dominate not only in the cable infrastructure but also in wireless systems.