Free space optical interconnect.
Free space optical interconnect.
Broadband communications typically involves wires or fibres being placed
underground in what is often a very expensive operation. RF comms is one alternative,
but bandwidth is under strict regulatory control.
One alternative where direct line-of-sight is possible is free-space
(i.e. non-fibre optic) optical interconnection.
However, there are limitations such as vibrations, alignment,
atmospheric disturbance and order of magnitude changes in
visibility which need to be overcome.
This project will have available an 8.75-inch telescope for
prototyping a uni-directional version of such a system and
for investigating and solving some of the above-mentioned
problems with optical interconnects