Optical Communication in Free Space: Difference between revisions

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=Milestones=
=Milestones=
==Range==
==Range==
*Demonstrate point to point communications across a room with Class IIIa lasers and no optics
*Demonstrate point to point communications across a room with Class IIIa lasers and no receiver optics
*Demonstrate point to point communications across a field with Class IIIa lasers and optics present
*Demonstrate point to point communications across a field with Class IIIa lasers and receiver optics present
*Determine distance limitations of point to point communications using Class IIIa lasers
*Determine distance limitations of point to point communications using Class IIIa lasers
*Procure Class IIIb lasers and necessary protective gear and attempt longer range communications
*Procure Class IIIb lasers and necessary protective gear and attempt longer range communications?
 
==Data Transfer==
==Data Transfer==
===Half Duplex===
===Half Duplex===
*Go/No Go with simple breadboard circuit
*Go/No Go with simple breadboard circuit
*Simple voice communication with modulator and amplifier circuits
*Modulate laser with Arduino pulse width modulation
*Simple voice communication
*High speed network communications
*High speed network communications
===Full Duplex===
===Full Duplex===
*Go/No Go with simple breadboard circuit
*Go/No Go with simple breadboard circuit
*Simple voice communication with modulator and amplifier circuits
*Simple voice communication
*High speed network communications
*High speed network communications


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==Transmitter==
==Transmitter==
=== Lasers ===
=== Lasers ===
The potential advantage of using a commercial laser pointer over over an optically enhanced LED is the lack of the additional optics assembly.  Commercial beam divergences are such that over similar ranges to RONJA project the laser has a smaller spot diameter.
''
*Calculate intensity difference at distance between RONJA project and a commercial laser pointer with Gaussian beam equation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaussian_beam
A 5 mW green laser pointer is available from http://www.optotronics.com/green-laser-pointers.php with very good beam properties
A 5 mW green laser pointer is available from http://www.optotronics.com/green-laser-pointers.php with very good beam properties
Beam divergence: <1.2 mrad
Beam divergence: <1.2 mrad
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*Add equations for divergence and maybe wolfram alpha application for calculations''
*Add equations for divergence and maybe wolfram alpha application for calculations''


=== LEDs ===


==Receiver==
==Receiver==
A CdS photoresistor seems like a good start but probably is not the best option for high data transfer rates.
http://www.token.com.tw/pdf/resistor/cds-resistor-pgm.pdf
Models are available with a spectral peaks at 540 nm or 560 nm.  Our green laser pointer emits light at close by at 532 nm for a relative sensitivity between 80 and 90 percent, so the 540 nm models are recommended.  It's a nice coincidence that our emission spectrum matches closely to the receiver spectral peak.
Rise response times are typically 20 or 30 ms and decay response times are typically 30 or 40 ms.
Photodiode ... add section


=Legal & Safety=
=Legal & Safety=
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=External Links=
=External Links=
Ronja Project http://ronja.twibright.com/
RONJA (Reasonable Optical Near Joint Access) Project Homepage http://ronja.twibright.com/
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RONJA


http://members.misty.com/don/laserfaq.htm
http://members.misty.com/don/laserfaq.htm

Latest revision as of 03:35, 17 April 2011

Overview

Forum Link http://www.knoxvillehackerspace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13

Milestones

Range

  • Demonstrate point to point communications across a room with Class IIIa lasers and no receiver optics
  • Demonstrate point to point communications across a field with Class IIIa lasers and receiver optics present
  • Determine distance limitations of point to point communications using Class IIIa lasers
  • Procure Class IIIb lasers and necessary protective gear and attempt longer range communications?

Data Transfer

Half Duplex

  • Go/No Go with simple breadboard circuit
  • Modulate laser with Arduino pulse width modulation
  • Simple voice communication
  • High speed network communications

Full Duplex

  • Go/No Go with simple breadboard circuit
  • Simple voice communication
  • High speed network communications

Optics

Transmitter

Lasers

The potential advantage of using a commercial laser pointer over over an optically enhanced LED is the lack of the additional optics assembly. Commercial beam divergences are such that over similar ranges to RONJA project the laser has a smaller spot diameter.

A 5 mW green laser pointer is available from http://www.optotronics.com/green-laser-pointers.php with very good beam properties Beam divergence: <1.2 mrad Beam diameter: <1.5 mm

  • Add equations for divergence and maybe wolfram alpha application for calculations


Receiver

A CdS photoresistor seems like a good start but probably is not the best option for high data transfer rates. http://www.token.com.tw/pdf/resistor/cds-resistor-pgm.pdf Models are available with a spectral peaks at 540 nm or 560 nm. Our green laser pointer emits light at close by at 532 nm for a relative sensitivity between 80 and 90 percent, so the 540 nm models are recommended. It's a nice coincidence that our emission spectrum matches closely to the receiver spectral peak. Rise response times are typically 20 or 30 ms and decay response times are typically 30 or 40 ms.

Photodiode ... add section

Legal & Safety

Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Section 1040 [1]

OSHA Technical Manual Section III Chapter 6 Laser Hazards [2]

ANSI Z136.1 (2007) - Safe Use of Lasers

ANSI Z136.6 (2005) - Safe Use Of Lasers Outdoors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety

External Links

RONJA (Reasonable Optical Near Joint Access) Project Homepage http://ronja.twibright.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RONJA

http://members.misty.com/don/laserfaq.htm

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserdps.htm

http://captain.haddock.8m.com/laser/laser1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-space_optical_communication