Next Generation Free-Space Optical Communication Systems

自由空间光通信又称无线光通信，是未来异构无线网络的重要技术。当前基于射频的无线网络承载着日益增长的数据业务，而自由空间光通信作为频谱短缺和拥塞问题的可行解决方案而出现。自由空间光通信是一种具有成本效益、安全、无干扰和免许可证的技术，能够在不使用光纤电缆的情况下以每秒千兆比特的速度传输高速数据。虽然已经部署了一些当前一代的商业自由空间光通信系统，但是它们不能以功率有效的方式克服由相干性引起的衰落引起的损害。无线光通信的通信理论远未成熟。挑战仍然是开发能够进行可靠的高速数据通信的低成本和低功率自由空间光通信系统。

Free-space optical communication, also known as wireless optical communication, is an important technology in future heterogeneous wireless networks. The current radio frequency based wireless networks are carrying increasing data traffic, and free-space optical communication emerges as a viable solution to the spectrum shortage and congestion problems. Free-space optical communication is a cost-effective, secure, interference-free, and license-free technology capable of delivering high speed data at gigabits per second without use of fiber optic cable. While some current generation commercial free-space optical communication systems have been deployed, they are incapable of overcoming the impairments caused by turbulence-induced fading in a power efficient manner. The communication theory of wireless optical communication is far from mature. The challenge remains to develop low-cost and low-power free-space optical communication systems capable of reliable high-speed data communication.