An Introduction to Free-space Optical Communications

Over the last two decades free-space optical communication (FSO) has become more and more interest- ing as an adjunct or alternative to radio frequency commu- nication. This article gives an overview of the challenges a system designer has to consider while implementing an FSO system. Typical gains and losses along the path from the transmitter through the medium to the receiver are in- troduced in this article. Detailed discussions of these topics can be found in this special issue of the Radioengineering Journal.

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