Here are some FAQ's that I thought would help to answer most questions anyone has. This is slightly more technical than my intro discussion.
Technology FAQ
Q: What is free-space optics (FSO) technology?
A: FSO is a line-of-sight optical technology in which voice, video, and data are sent through the air on beams of light at speeds up to 1.25 Gbps, more than 500 times the capacity of an E1/T1 fixed line.
Q: Is FSO a new technology?
A: FSO systems were first developed during the 1960s both domestically and internationally for secure communications by military. Recent advancements in the technology — and the skyrocketing demand for bandwidth where fiber-optic cable is unavailable — have created a need for FSO-based products (such as LightPointe's optical wireless family) in commercial communications networks. FSO systems have been deployed for several years commercially in enterprise networks where a single end-user has a local area network linking two or more buildings. FSO-based products have been deployed worldwide. (In fact, LightPointe has its optical wireless products at work in more than 60 countries, and thousands of customer sites.
Q: What's optical wireless?
A: Optical wireless, based on the latest in FSO technology, is a new category of products that LightPointe has created to solve the need for high-speed, last mile connectivity across corporate campuses and between Mobile Carrier network towers.
Q: How does free-space optics technology work?
A: LightPointe's FSO-based optical wireless systems act the same as a piece of fiber-optic cable. The systems take information data streams from fiber-optic cable, transport it on invisible beams of light between locations, where it once again connects to fiber and to end-users through an add/drop multiplexer.
Q: How are FSO-based systems deployed?
A: LightPointe's optical wireless systems can be installed outdoors or indoors on building rooftops, exterior walls, towers, behind windows or any combination. If there is a line-of-sight and appropriate distance, an optical wireless connection can be made between two points.
Q: How far can an FSO-based optical wireless link go?
A: While many FSO technology providers quote maximum range figures, based on ideal conditions, LightPointe prefers to cite optimum distances and urges you to use these as points of reference.
Q: What speeds (bandwidths) are available with optical wireless products?
A: LightPointe's current Flight Optical Wireless family provides bandwidth of 100 Mbps, 155 Mbps and 1.25 Gbps.
Q: Is free-space optics technology safe?
A: Yes, our products are eye safe and environmentally safe. They meet or exceed standards set by U.S. and international regulatory bodies.
Q: What protocols do FSO technology use?
A: LightPointe's FSO-based products are agile enough to integrate within any service provider network. LightPointe manufactures products that work with Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, SONET/SDS, ATM and FDDI.
Q: Does weather affect FSO-based optical wireless products?
A: LightPointe's FSO-based products can provide 99.9% availability. This availability is achieved through our multi-beam system — the only one of its kind in the industry — which links distances, weather data and network management tools. In addition, we can combine FSO and license-free RF technology to provide an extra layer of redundancy. LightPointe's products have been proven through both deployment and successful field trials with carriers. They operate in a variety of weather conditions, from -13°F to 122°F (-25°C to 50°C).
Q: Why wasn't FSO technology been deployed on a much larger scale sooner?
A: The broader market for FSO-based technology did not emerge until late 2000 when it became clear that fiber-optic cable would not reach into every building in the near future. Bandwidth demands continue to grow while budgets do not keep pace and the challenges of deploying fiber-optic cable only become more complex.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Canobeam
It seems that Canon is the leader in Free Space Optics technology right now because I keep coming back to their Canobeam product every time I look up information about FSO. Since that is the case, I thought I would publish some information I found about them and people who use their product just in case anyone is interested in any specific hardware.
There seems to be alot of information about this particular product so I'll post various things about it as I find them. I am also slightly partial to the Canobeam because I work for a large IT company and we have recently installed the Canobeam to transmit information accross our campus. We have had great success with it and I would highly reccommend it to anyone who is looking into Free Space Optics.
I actually found this posting in an online version of a couple of trade magazines.
Faced with a tight deadline to expand the data network serving its huge corporate campus, ATI Technologies Inc. immediately turned to Canon for a solution. And with the wide-bandwith Free Space Optics connectivity of its Canobeam DT-100 series digital transceiver system, Canon was able to provide the answer. The Canobeams also provide ATI Technologies—a Toronto-based leader in the design and manufacture of chips for graphics and digital video processing for PC’s, handheld devices, cell phones, and digital TV’s—with redundancy for its fiber network.
“ATI has been expanding rapidly in the last few years,” explained Wasef Abu-Samra, the company’s Telecommunications Manager. “We went from three buildings to five here at our headquarters, and that presented us with an aggressive timeline to link those locations with expanded bandwidth. All of the four locations on our campus need to access our Data Center, which is at the central office. Our network handles everything: email, engineering data, chip designs, CAD CAM files, and huge data transfers. We needed to deploy a new branch office quickly, but telco procedures, signatures, approvals, and all the other red tape needed for trenching and then ordering fiber circuits and services takes at least 60 to 90 days, which meant we’d miss our target date.”
“That’s why we looked into Canobeam, which is an ideal solution for establishing links between the offices on our 2km corporate campus,” Abu-Samra added. “We installed a Canobeam DT-120 over the course of one weekend, which never would have been possible with fiber. It was an amazing time-saver for us. We’ve had a Canobeam DT-120 for one year, and a DT-50 for almost two years. We’re looking forward to buying another Canobeam as well. And when you buy a Canobeam it’s a one-time cost; you own the product. You don’t have to pay late penalty fees or anything—it’s yours.”
All Canobeam systems use a line-of-sight beam of light to transmit data via Free Space Optics. They are also protocol-independent (like fiber), and because Canobeam does not use radio waves, setting up a Canobeam system does not require radio-frequency coordination or licenses. Canobeams can be set up quickly, and since the data is transmitted via line-of-sight Free Space Optics it is secure from interception.
Canon applied its long history and expertise in optical engineering into its three DT-100 Series Canobeam models, all of which feature built-in Auto Tracking. This feature automatically adjusts the Free Space Optics light beam to compensate for even the slightest vibrations in the installation base, which can be caused by wind, weather, temperature changes, or even HVAC systems within a building or motor-vehicle traffic outside. With its built-in Auto Tracking feature, Canobeam's optical beam axis continually self-corrects, maintaining precise, continuous, and reliable data transmission at all times. Canon is the only manufacturer to offer Auto Tracking as a standard feature at price points that are highly competitive with systems that do not offer tracking as standard equipment.
In the Canobeam DT-100 series, the model DT-110 delivers a wide range of data speeds from 25Mbps to 156Mbps at a range of from 20m to 500m. The Canobeam DT-120 provides the same data speeds as the DT-110, but at a range of from 100m to 2km (1.24 miles). The Canobeam DT-130 features data rates of up to 1.25Gbps for Gigabit Ethernet networking at a range of 100m to 1,000m (more than half a mile). The DT-130 also incorporates a 3R Function (re-shaping, re-timing, and re-generating), which allows its data signal to be relayed without loss of strength or quality.
And Canobeam's DT-MNG-100 Management Board is built-in as a standard feature of all DT-100 series Canobeams. This feature enables users to monitor the status of Canobeam transceivers via SNMP or Telnet (for monitoring and setting). In addition, diagnostic logs can be stored in a PC via FTP (for log data transmission).
“The Canobeam DT-100 Series builds on Canon’s reputation for innovation by delivering our most compact, feature-packed and cost-effective Free Space Optics system yet,” states Gordon Tubbs, assistant director of Canon’s Broadcast & Communications division. “Canobeam DT-110, DT-120, and DT-130 models give network administrators an unmatched combination of dependability, performance, ease of use and value.”
“Two things sold us on Canon,” Abu-Samra explained. “One is the reputation. We checked some references of Canobeam users, and when I asked about the support they said, ‘You won’t need support; Canobeam works very well.’ The other thing is that Canobeam does what it’s supposed to do. We’re very happy with it.”
“By the way, two months later, when we finally did get fiber in the ground, the Canobeam became our back-up,” Abu-Samra concluded. “So, the advantages of Canobeam for us are two-fold; one was for rapid deployment, and two is for redundancy if we lose the fiber or something happens to the telco providers. Our Canobeams are very solid. We have really harsh winters in Toronto—major snowstorms, high winds, and ice—and our Canobeams never went down, they just keep on working; they’re amazing.”
There seems to be alot of information about this particular product so I'll post various things about it as I find them. I am also slightly partial to the Canobeam because I work for a large IT company and we have recently installed the Canobeam to transmit information accross our campus. We have had great success with it and I would highly reccommend it to anyone who is looking into Free Space Optics.
I actually found this posting in an online version of a couple of trade magazines.
Faced with a tight deadline to expand the data network serving its huge corporate campus, ATI Technologies Inc. immediately turned to Canon for a solution. And with the wide-bandwith Free Space Optics connectivity of its Canobeam DT-100 series digital transceiver system, Canon was able to provide the answer. The Canobeams also provide ATI Technologies—a Toronto-based leader in the design and manufacture of chips for graphics and digital video processing for PC’s, handheld devices, cell phones, and digital TV’s—with redundancy for its fiber network.
“ATI has been expanding rapidly in the last few years,” explained Wasef Abu-Samra, the company’s Telecommunications Manager. “We went from three buildings to five here at our headquarters, and that presented us with an aggressive timeline to link those locations with expanded bandwidth. All of the four locations on our campus need to access our Data Center, which is at the central office. Our network handles everything: email, engineering data, chip designs, CAD CAM files, and huge data transfers. We needed to deploy a new branch office quickly, but telco procedures, signatures, approvals, and all the other red tape needed for trenching and then ordering fiber circuits and services takes at least 60 to 90 days, which meant we’d miss our target date.”
“That’s why we looked into Canobeam, which is an ideal solution for establishing links between the offices on our 2km corporate campus,” Abu-Samra added. “We installed a Canobeam DT-120 over the course of one weekend, which never would have been possible with fiber. It was an amazing time-saver for us. We’ve had a Canobeam DT-120 for one year, and a DT-50 for almost two years. We’re looking forward to buying another Canobeam as well. And when you buy a Canobeam it’s a one-time cost; you own the product. You don’t have to pay late penalty fees or anything—it’s yours.”
All Canobeam systems use a line-of-sight beam of light to transmit data via Free Space Optics. They are also protocol-independent (like fiber), and because Canobeam does not use radio waves, setting up a Canobeam system does not require radio-frequency coordination or licenses. Canobeams can be set up quickly, and since the data is transmitted via line-of-sight Free Space Optics it is secure from interception.
Canon applied its long history and expertise in optical engineering into its three DT-100 Series Canobeam models, all of which feature built-in Auto Tracking. This feature automatically adjusts the Free Space Optics light beam to compensate for even the slightest vibrations in the installation base, which can be caused by wind, weather, temperature changes, or even HVAC systems within a building or motor-vehicle traffic outside. With its built-in Auto Tracking feature, Canobeam's optical beam axis continually self-corrects, maintaining precise, continuous, and reliable data transmission at all times. Canon is the only manufacturer to offer Auto Tracking as a standard feature at price points that are highly competitive with systems that do not offer tracking as standard equipment.
In the Canobeam DT-100 series, the model DT-110 delivers a wide range of data speeds from 25Mbps to 156Mbps at a range of from 20m to 500m. The Canobeam DT-120 provides the same data speeds as the DT-110, but at a range of from 100m to 2km (1.24 miles). The Canobeam DT-130 features data rates of up to 1.25Gbps for Gigabit Ethernet networking at a range of 100m to 1,000m (more than half a mile). The DT-130 also incorporates a 3R Function (re-shaping, re-timing, and re-generating), which allows its data signal to be relayed without loss of strength or quality.
And Canobeam's DT-MNG-100 Management Board is built-in as a standard feature of all DT-100 series Canobeams. This feature enables users to monitor the status of Canobeam transceivers via SNMP or Telnet (for monitoring and setting). In addition, diagnostic logs can be stored in a PC via FTP (for log data transmission).
“The Canobeam DT-100 Series builds on Canon’s reputation for innovation by delivering our most compact, feature-packed and cost-effective Free Space Optics system yet,” states Gordon Tubbs, assistant director of Canon’s Broadcast & Communications division. “Canobeam DT-110, DT-120, and DT-130 models give network administrators an unmatched combination of dependability, performance, ease of use and value.”
“Two things sold us on Canon,” Abu-Samra explained. “One is the reputation. We checked some references of Canobeam users, and when I asked about the support they said, ‘You won’t need support; Canobeam works very well.’ The other thing is that Canobeam does what it’s supposed to do. We’re very happy with it.”
“By the way, two months later, when we finally did get fiber in the ground, the Canobeam became our back-up,” Abu-Samra concluded. “So, the advantages of Canobeam for us are two-fold; one was for rapid deployment, and two is for redundancy if we lose the fiber or something happens to the telco providers. Our Canobeams are very solid. We have really harsh winters in Toronto—major snowstorms, high winds, and ice—and our Canobeams never went down, they just keep on working; they’re amazing.”
What exactly is Free Space Optics?
I decided to open this blog with information about free space optics because it really is a revolutionary technology that is highly under-used. I believe that it's underused because of the lack of knowledge and information available. I hope to help change that. I'll try to keep the discussions as colorful and un-boring as possible. If anyone wants to talk more technically then just feel free to leave a comment.
Free Space Optics: The Basics
Free space optics (FSO) is an optical communication technology that uses light propagating in free space to transmit data between two points. FSO is particularly useful where the physical connection, by use of fiber optic cable, is impractical due to high cost or other physical considerations. Fiber optic cables are often used for networking purposes such as connecting multiple buildings to one network. FSO eliminates the need for the physical cabling.
Free Space Optics are currently being used for communication between space craft by NASA. The optical links are implemented using infrared laser light; although short range communication is also possible by using LED's. The maximum range for terrestrial links is currently 10 km or a little over 6 mi. The stability and quality of the link however, is highly dependent on atmospheric factors such as rain, fog, dust, and heat. that is why it is important to make a good investment in a quality piece of equipment. In space the range is several thousand kilometers.
This is what the FSO hardware looks like. This one happens to be a great model that Canon makes called the Canobeam (it is hard to find good pictures of the hardware, so please forgive the name dropping).
A (very brief) History of Free Space Optics
Free implementation of FSO using high powered LED's
Extra Links
These are other links I thought would be helpful if you want more in depth information about this technology.
www.freespaceoptics1.com
http://www.esa.int/esaTE/SEMN6HQJNVE_index_0.html
http://www.seas.harvard.edu/hbbcl/fsoc.html
http://www.hqisec.army.mil/isec/publications/Analysis_of_Free_Space_Optics_as_a_Transmission_Technology_Mar05.pdf
http://www.hapcos.org/DOCS/wg2/wg2_home.php
Free Space Optics: The Basics
Free space optics (FSO) is an optical communication technology that uses light propagating in free space to transmit data between two points. FSO is particularly useful where the physical connection, by use of fiber optic cable, is impractical due to high cost or other physical considerations. Fiber optic cables are often used for networking purposes such as connecting multiple buildings to one network. FSO eliminates the need for the physical cabling.
Free Space Optics are currently being used for communication between space craft by NASA. The optical links are implemented using infrared laser light; although short range communication is also possible by using LED's. The maximum range for terrestrial links is currently 10 km or a little over 6 mi. The stability and quality of the link however, is highly dependent on atmospheric factors such as rain, fog, dust, and heat. that is why it is important to make a good investment in a quality piece of equipment. In space the range is several thousand kilometers.
This is what the FSO hardware looks like. This one happens to be a great model that Canon makes called the Canobeam (it is hard to find good pictures of the hardware, so please forgive the name dropping).
A (very brief) History of Free Space Optics
Optical communication is not a new technology at all. The ancient Greeks polished their shields in order to use the light to send signals during battle. Several centuries later, a wireless solar telegraph called a heliograph was developed to send Morse code using flashes on sunlight which was widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alexander Graham Bell developed a light based telephone is 1880 called a photophone that allowed the transmission of sound on a beam of light.
The invention of the laser in the early 1960's revolutionized Free Space optics. Military organizations in particular found use for this new technology and boosted research and development. The technology however began to lose market momentum with the wide use of fiber optic cables and the installation of optical fiber networks for wide-spread civilian use. I believe that this was due to the low initial cost outlay involved with fiber optics.
Applications of Free Space Optics
Free Space Optics has many practical applications, some of which I have listed here.
- LAN to LAN on campuses at fast Ethernet or gigabyte Ethernet speeds
- LAN to LAN connections in a city Ex: Metropolitan Area Network
- To cross a public road or other barriers which neither the sender or receiver own
- Speedy service delivery of high-bandwidth access to optical fiber networks
- Converged voice-data connection
- Temporary network installation (for events or other purposes)
- Reestablish a high speed connection quickly (disaster recovery)
- As an alternative or upgrade add-on to existing wireless technology
- As a safety add-on for important fiber connections (redundancy)
- For communications between spacecraft, including elements of a satellite constellation
The light beam can be very narrow, and therefore harder to intercept, improving security. In any case, it is comparatively easy to encrypt any data traveling across the FSO connection for even more heightened security. FSO is a vast improvement from EMI, or radio frequencies, behavior using light instead of microwaves; which is also significantly better for the environment. This keeps us with the green theme of the world we live in.
Advantages
This is a little technical but I did my best to give a brief translation.
- Ease of deployment
- License-free operation
- High bit errors (the number of bits that are conveyed per unit of time)
- Low bit error rates (the ratio of the number of bits received incorrectly to the total number sent)
- Immunity to electromagnetic interference (or EMI, the radio frequencies mentioned above)
- Full duplex operation (full communication in both directions)
- Protocol transparency (easy to see where the data comes from, what it is, who it is authenticated by, and any error detection)
- Very secure due to high directionality and the narrowness of the light beam
- No Fresnel Zone necessary (less signal interference)
Free implementation of FSO using high powered LED'sExtra Links
These are other links I thought would be helpful if you want more in depth information about this technology.
www.freespaceoptics1.com
http://www.esa.int/esaTE/SEMN6HQJNVE_index_0.html
http://www.seas.harvard.edu/hbbcl/fsoc.html
http://www.hqisec.army.mil/isec/publications/Analysis_of_Free_Space_Optics_as_a_Transmission_Technology_Mar05.pdf
http://www.hapcos.org/DOCS/wg2/wg2_home.php
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