free-space optical communications

Free-space optical (FSO) communication is a technology that transmits data using laser or LED beams through the open air, such as between buildings or satellites, instead of cables or wires. It converts data signals into light, which travels through the air to a receiver that reconverts it back into digital information. FSO offers high-speed data transfer, is quick to deploy, and avoids physical infrastructure like fiber-optic cables, but it can be affected by weather conditions like fog or rain, which may weaken the signal. It’s an effective solution for rapid, high-capacity wireless data links where laying cables is impractical.