Hybrid Wireless Networks combining WLAN, FSO and Satellite Technology for Disaster Recovery

This paper presents a combination of Free Space Optic systems with WLAN and Satellite Communications to provide Video conferencing and data transfer for use in Civil Military Cooperation and disaster recovery applications. A modular communication system developed at TU Graz is described, which facilitates worldwide access to the Internet or any other network (depending on the particular application) by combining Satellite Communications, FSO and WLAN networks. Satellite communications provide the necessary backbone for communication between distant locations in the world, Free Space Optics allows quick installation of broadband fixed wireless links without the need of any cables and finally, the WLAN offers connectivity to mobile users in the network cell, located at the target destination. The second part of the paper presents results of a system demonstration at a civil-military exercise in Spring 2004 in Austria, where mobile Satellite Earth Stations were used in combination with FSO and WLAN to enable Videoconferencing between military and civil organizations.