[Laser] Light comms in Radcom

[Sam Jewell]

Folks,
I have been a lurker on this reflector for some years. I write the Microwave column 'GHz Bands' for the RSGB Radcom magazine. I have been thinking about including something on light comms for some time and I think 2011 may be the time to do it.
I was employed on fibre optic systems at BT Research labs for many years before retirement and the work included radio over fibre as well as high data rate free space links.
We ran lasers as sources and detectors in burst mode (ping pong of half duplex) over fibre in trial systems back in the 1980s. Our problem was commercial interests. The big optical component supplier persuaded our sponsors that separate sources and detectors, with optical duplexing, was more cost effective. At around three times the cost, I never understood that but we did have some good patents on the technology! Needless to say, the duplexer method never costed in anyway......... We had a really smug look on our faces, though!
 
It is good to see some of the radio frequency over light being deployed in amateur systems.
I will continue to read about the group's exploits and may well have some questions at times. Keep up the good work.

Regards

Sam Jewell, G4DDK



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