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Published on: November 22, 2019
Design and optimization of a Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication system for reliable outdoor connectivity in
Ajay Sharma1, Lalit Garg1,2, Peter A Xuereb1
1Department of Computer Information Systems, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta.
Background:
Modern healthcare facilities face the challenge of ensuring secure, high-speed, and interference-free communication across hospital campuses. In Maltese hospitals, electromagnetic interference (EMI) from RF systems and the high cost of fibre deployment are major limitations. Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication offers a promising solution by providing gigabit-per-second transmission without EMI-related disruptions.
Methods:
This study proposes the design and parametric performance evaluation of a 1550 nm FSO communication system using OptiSystem 21 and MATLAB R2024b. The design incorporates Malta's Mediterranean climate, dominated by haze with rare fog, into atmospheric attenuation models. System parameters, including attenuation coefficients, Q-factor, bit error rate (BER), and link availability, were evaluated under different weather conditions.
Results:
The system maintains reliable performance when rain attenuation is below 3.5 dB/km, achieving a Q-factor above 6 and error-free transmission in clear air with BER < 10 -12 and a Q-factor of 13. The link operates within the explored simulation parameter space up to 2 km and sustains receiver sensitivity (-35 dBm) up to 5 km at 17 dBm transmit power. Simulations demonstrate high availability (>99%) under clear, hazy, and rainy conditions, while fog-occurring less than two days per year in Malta-reduces availability but does not impact the overall system feasibility. These availability estimates are modeled atmospheric predictions of a simulation.
Conclusions:
The developed standalone FSO system shows simulation viability of EMI-immune hospital connectivity in Maltese typical atmospheric models. Although the findings show high availability and great link margins, experimental validation and long-term performance evaluation would be needed to implement it in practice. The framework gives a hospital-based analytical foundation for the assessment of high-speed optical connections in the conditions of regional climate.
