Performance Evaluation of Free Space Optical Communication System

Abstract

Abstract In the rapidly evolving technology sector, the rapidly increasing demand for high-speed data transmission has driven significant advancements in data transfer technologies. Traditional optical fiber offers data transfer rates of 10 Gbps, but the telecommunications industry's escalating demands have led to the emergence of Free Space Optics (FSO) as a potential solution, capable of achieving speeds of up to 100 Gbps. The speed of data transmission is intricately linked to signal quality, quantified by the Quality Factor (Q). FSO, utilising the Earth's atmosphere as its propagation medium, is the focal point of our performance analysis. This study explores the critical factors influencing data transmission speed and signal quality in FSO systems, including wavelength, laser power, modulation techniques, and the distance between transmitter and receiver telescopes. The analysis focuses on assessing the Quality Factor and BER(Bit Error Rate) of signals, utilising Optical System simulations across a range of bit rates (10 Gbps, 12 Gbps, 14 Gbps, and 15 Gbps) and transmission distances of 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 24 km, and 28 km. An Eye Diagram is employed for signal analysis, providing valuable insights into the comparison of Quality Factor (Q) and Bit Error Rate (BER). This research highlights the potential of FSO as a high-speed data transmission technology and its implications for the telecommunications industry.