Optical Wireless Communications Operated at Long-Wave Infrared Radiation

Abstract

This paper presents some construction analysis and test results of a Free Space Optics system operating at the wavelength of 9.35 μm. In the system, a quantum cascade laser and a photoreceiver with mercury cadmium telluride photodetectors were used. The main parameters of these elements were discussed taking into account a data link operation. It also provides to determine a data range for various weather conditions related to scattering and scintillation. The results of numerical analyses defined the properties of currently available FSO technologies working in the near infrared or in the short infrared range of spectrum versus the performances of the developed system. The operation of this system was verified in three different test environments. The obtained results may also contain important issues related to the practical application of any FSO system.

Keywords

• optical wireless communications
• free space optics
• quantum cascade lasers
• optoelectronics
• telecommunications