On the Development of Modular Optical Wireless Elements (MOWE)

We report on the development of optical wireless arrays composed of multiple electrically interconnected optical modules (i.e., elements) forming a flat or curved terminal that is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy-to-assemble. The technology enables economic access to wide field-of-view optical communication for last-mile broadband connectivity. The smart modules provide reconfigurability, as well as local and central processing capabilities, to enable innovative short- and medium-range applications for free- space optics (FSO) beyond traditional fixed, high data rate, point-to-point links. We demonstrate several proof-of-concept optical arrays, including flat, dome, and spherical shapes. An omnidirectional spherical optical terminal weighs approximately 150g and costs less than $200. This technology can facilitate multiple simultaneous communication links at data rates up to 1Mbps. The MOWE concept is flexible and scalable to various applications like user tracking, mobile FSO, multi-hop mesh networks, noise measurements, indoor communications, and MIMO FSO, among others.