MRV Products
What is
FSO?
Free-Space Optics (also known as "FSO", or "Optical Wireless") is
an optical data, voice and video transmission system. Like fiber optic cable,
FSO communications systems use laser light to transmit a digital signal between
two transceivers. However, unlike fiber, the laser like is transtmited through
the air (free-space) instead of through a glass strand. In order for the digital
signal to be transmitted and received, there must be clear line of site between
each FSO unit. In other words, there should be no obstructions such as trees or
buildings between the transceiver units.
FSO is primarily deployed where
performance, security, rapid deployment, and cost-savings are critical
issues. The TereScopeT line of FSO products from MRV, ranging from 1.5Mbps
to 2.5Gbps in bandwidth, provides a solution for any protocol in common use both
in Carrier and Enterprise networks.
Who Uses FSO?
Ranging from hospitals, banks and
telecommunications companies to municipal and military installations, FSO
systems are filling a variety of wireless data communication needs the world
over. For private corporate networks, FSO systems provide a very high bandwidth
link between sites without the recurring costs of leased lines. For high
bandwidth applications such as videoconferencing, FSO provides new alternatives
to installing fiber optic cable between sites where it is very expensive or
impossible to lay. For temporary network connectivity needs, such as at
exhibitions, conventions, sporting events, or disaster recovery, high bandwidth
links can be easily and quickly provided using portable FSO systems. In
addition, FSO systems are also used as high-speed wireless backup for fiber
optic cable and as "Last Mile" solutions, connecting customer sites to fiber
backbones.
How is FSO
Deployed?
FSO systems are typically mounted on the sturdiest areas of
buildings or other structures, where there is minimal exposure to vibration,
wind sway, and thermal expansion. Usually the corner of a building's roof is the
best location, or as close as possible to an outside wall. Mounting to masonry
is preferred, as wood is very susceptible to moisture expansion. FSO units can
also be installed indoors behind a window.
FSO systems typically
interface with your network switch, hub, bridge or router via multimode fiber
(850nm or 1310nm) and standard ST or SC connectors. Some TereScope products also
connect directly to copper interfaces. The network configuration is designed as
if the FSO link was a fiber optic cable running between multiple sites. FSO
systems can be protocol transparent or locked to a particular protocol depending
on the user's needs. A variety of SNMP and proprietary management options are
also available for FSO systems.
FSO Links
TereScope Product Pages
Free Space Optics Case Studies - see left side of this
page
