Hybrid optical-radio transmission system link quality: Link budget analysis

Abstract

From the last few decades' radio frequency (RF) spectrum remained attractive for wireless/wire-line applications. RF spectrum becomes dense and occupied, which makes its availability difficult to other broadband channels. Free space optical (FSO) communication, which was used for messaging/indication in the ancient days, now becomes more popular and attractive in the new era. The popularity of FSO is due to its freely available large spectrum, inherited secure links and ease of deployment. However, FSO link has to face certain challenges, e.g., line-of-sight (LOS) requirement, link attenuation due to atmospheric turbulence and severe weather conditions. To overcome the issues of FSO communication, hybrid optical-radio transmission system is proposed by which we can get maximum benefits of both spectrum. Considering the proposed transmission system link quality, link budget analysis is done in the presented work. Link budget design of transmission system is important to analyze and give recommendations.