Optical Wireless Communications: Recent Applications in Terrestrial, Space, Satelite, and Underwater - IEEE

This course will provide a comprehensive and up to date review of theory and practical implementations of optical wireless communications (OWC).  In recent years, constant demand by the end users for bandwidth in mobile communications to support a number of broadband wireless services such as mobile videophones, video conferencing and  high-speed Internet access for various every day and business applications is growing. High quality multimedia services in the next decade will require much higher bandwidth than that which exists today. Free Space Optical (FSO) Wireless Communication (OWC) is the most reliable, flexible and viable wireless option, which also makes it very attractive for incorporating with the emerging 5G wireless communications and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Fundamentals of Optical Wireless Communications will be covered with special emphasis on technologies and techniques in achieving high bandwidth (much higher than what exists today by RF communications). The instructor will discuss the OWC systems analysis and design issues in order to address a number of challenges, such as atmospheric turbulence, mobility and security, and options relevant to future optical wireless communication terminals, such as LEO, Intersatellite and Constellation of Satellites (Small and CubeSat LaserCom), and Underwater OWC. The course will also cover Optical Wireless Communication with recent Visible Light Communications (VLC) technology.

A technology solution for accomplishing the future "All-Optical" methods and techniques for accomplishing global Internet connectivity will be discussed.  This course will also cover the communication channel effects for each of the uniquely different channels of Terrestrial, Space, Satellite and Underwater, in order to accomplish “All Optical” Communications.