F-Sona™

WHAT ARE OPTICAL LINKS?

Free Space Optics (FSO), also called Free Space Photonics (FSP) or Optical Wireless, refers to the transmission of modulated visible or infrared (IR) beams through the atmosphere to obtain broadband communications. FSO systems can function over distances of several kilometres. As long as there is a clear line of sight between the source and the destination, and enough transmitter power, communication is theoretically possible.

Like fibre, FSO uses lasers to transmit data, but instead of enclosing the data stream in a glass fibre, it is transmitted through the air. Unlike the wireless systems of the past, FSO is all-optical, so you get the speed of fibre without the substantial costs of digging up sidewalks to install a fibre link. FSO technology requires no government licensing and can be readily deployed within hours of the availability of line-of-sight access. This means no hassles, no backlog and no intermediary devices to the fibre backbone.

Available FSO systems offer capacities in the range of 100 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps, and demonstration systems report data rates as high as 160 Gbps. These systems are compatible with a wide range of applications and markets, and they are sufficiently flexible as to be easily implemented using a variety of different architectures.

SONABEAM OPTICAL LINKS

fSONA deliver optical wireless connectivity solutions that bridge network gaps with unmatched simplicity and performance. From point-to-point connectivity to meshed networking architectures, the SONAbeam's protocol transparent technology gives military, government, service providers and enterprise customers alike the unique ability to integrate free space optics (FSO) quickly and easily into any existing network.

By transmitting through the atmosphere, the SONAbeam eliminates the substantial costs of digging up streets and sidewalks required to install fibre, and unlike other wireless solutions, the SONAbeam is immune to electro-magnetic (EM) and radio-frequency (RF) interference, as well as offering the benefit of eliminating the requirement for costly spectrum licenses. Plus the SONAbeam's narrow, highly directional transmission all but eliminates eavesdropping or interception. Utilising advanced FSO technology at the eye-safe 1550 nm wavelength, fSONA has created the most potent FSO systems ever brought to market.

FORWARD THINKING IN FREE SPACE OPTICS (OPTICAL WIRELESS)

Key to SONAbeam's breakthrough laser technology is its operational wavelength of 1550 nm, which provides a broad spectrum of safety and performance advantages. Wavelengths longer than 1400 nm are safe to the human eye. Thus the SONAbeam is a true eyesafe platform that meets ANSI Class 1 and IEC Class 1M safety standards. Already operating with the highest output power levels in the industry, the SONAbeam still has room to grow; thanks to the benefits of the 1550 nm wavelength.

SECURE WIRELESS

In today's environment, network security is critical to an organisation's survival. The vulnerabilities of RF systems have led people to wrongly conclude that all wireless transmissions are highly vulnerable to interception. The SONAbeam's FSO technology is among the most secure of any wide-area connectivity solution; this is due to its inherent low probability of interception, its anti-jam characteristics and the stealth nature of the transmission.

RUGGED AND ROBUST

fSONA explored every possible design consideration to ensure the SONAbeam transceivers are able to survive in even the most extreme weather conditions - from the intense cold of the north, to the blazing desert sun. The SONAbeam's superior environmentally sealed, cast-aluminum housing is unique in the market and is impervious to water, sun and other environmental hazards. Its support infrastructure is rigid enough to maintain stability in winds up to 120 km/h and survive driving gales of up to 160 km/h, allowing for problem-free rooftop and tower installations. The SONAbeam has also been designed to operate through windows, again furthering the available deployment options.

CARRIER-CLASS AVAILABILITY

The SONAbeam's high-powered laser transmitters are able to penetrate heavy rain, snow and fog far more effectively and consistently than any other available FSO technology. The ability to deliver the industry's highest link margins makes the SONAbeam ideal for use in hybrid networks; using complementary technologies to create fully protected, fully redundant, multi-media solutions - a requirement in today's networks. With up to four redundant transmitters, the SONAbeam produces up to 640mW of output power; 30-50 times more transmission power than most competing FSO products. With greater power comes enhanced weather penetration capabilities and more effective transmission over longer ranges.