Laser means data can cut through fog

17 Jun 2002

Free-space optical data transmission gets more efficient

Blue Sky Research has announced the availability of its Free-Space Telecom Laser Sources for "fiberless" optical communications. Free-Space Telecom Laser Sources use the company's proprietary microlens technology to produce more reliable line-of-sight, free-space optical data transmission, especially through atmospheric interferences.

"Our proprietary microlens technology produces an ideal quality laser beam that transmits four times the signal through fog - the toughest challenge in free-space communication," said Dan Hu, president and CEO of Blue Sky Research.

Free-space optical communications is only practical if it can be done reliably through atmospheric interferences such as fog. Blue Sky Research claims that its laser sources enable the delivery of collimated uniform laser beam power over greater distances and with greater penetrating power. The sources use a variety of laser diodes combined with microlens technology that concentrates the diodes' power into a circular, aberration-free, ideal beam. The sources are offered with wavelengths from 780 to 1550 nm and power ratings from 5 to 150 mW.