[Laser] RE: NLOS laser communication

[Rochte, Robert]

>I have looked into the geometry of rainbows (refraction from water
droplets) and Sun Dogs 
>(refraction from thin clouds of ice crystals) and even Sun pilars
(reflection from clouds of
>hexagonal crystal "disks" that tend to fall flat face down) for possible
use in NLOS 
>communication because they have angles where most of the light is
channeled, and thus should 
>have better range, if a very narrow field of view, and dependence on
specific weather 
>conditions.

Given the results that some amateurs (notably K3PGP) have obtained using
both visible-red and IR lasers, I assume that most non-line-of-sight (NLOS)
laser communication is the result of Mie scattering.  This could be from
aerosols or, as you suggest, from ice or water.

My particular interest is in flying a laser beacon experiment on one of my
high altitude balloons.  The laser beacon experiment (LBE) would be designed
to test NLOS using various take-off angles while at altitude and thereby
allow us to learn more about the nature of such scattering.

In the meantime (i.e., while I work on the design of the LBE), I am
interested in attempting NLOS laser communication with other amateurs in the
region (I'm in Detroit).  If you're interested, please let me know!  I'd
also invite anyone interested in helping with the LBE design and
construction to contact me.

73,
Robert
KC8UCH

--
Robert Rochte
Director of Information Technology
The Grosse Pointe Academy
171 Lake Shore Road
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Tel. +1 313-886-1221 x155
FAX  +1 313-886-1418
www.gpacademy.org