Hybrid wireless optical and radio frequency communication link
First Claim
1. A method for use in free-space communications, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting data in an active mode in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending across a terrestrial free-space region;
detecting degradation of the optical signal in the terrestrial free-space region; and
automatically switching from the active mode to a standby mode upon optical beam degradation in the terrestrial free-space region, wherein the standby mode includes transmitting data in a radio frequency (RF) signal through a free-space RF path of the communication link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid wireless optical and radio frequency (RF) communication link utilizes parallel free-space optical and RF paths for transmitting data and control and status information. The optical link provides the primary path for the data, and the RF link provides a concurrent or backup path for the network data, as well as a reliable and primary path for the control and status information. When atmospheric conditions degrade the optical link to the point at which optical data transmission fails, the hybrid communication link switches to the RF link to maintain availability of data communications. The switch may occur automatically, based on an assessment of the quality of the optical signal communicated through the optical path.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for use in free-space communications, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting data in an active mode in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending across a terrestrial free-space region;
detecting degradation of the optical signal in the terrestrial free-space region; and
automatically switching from the active mode to a standby mode upon optical beam degradation in the terrestrial free-space region, wherein the standby mode includes transmitting data in a radio frequency (RF) signal through a free-space RF path of the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for use in free-space communications, comprising:
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means for transmitting data in an active mode in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending across a terrestrial free-space region;
means for detecting degradation of the optical signal in the terrestrial free-space region; and
means for automatically switching from the active mode to a standby mode upon optical beam degradation in the terrestrial free-space region, wherein the standby mode includes transmitting data in a radio frequency (RF) signal through a free-space RF path of the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for use in communications, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting data in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending through a terrestrial free-space region;
detecting degradation of the optical signal; and
transmitting data through a backup communication path in response to detected degradation of the optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for use in communications, comprising:
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means for transmitting data in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending through a terrestrial free-space region;
means for detecting degradation of the optical signal; and
means for transmitting data through a backup communication path in response to detected degradation of the optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for use in communications, comprising:
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an optical transceiver configured to transmit data in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending through a terrestrial free-space region;
the optical transceiver further configured to detect degradation of a received optical signal; and
interface circuitry coupled to the optical transceiver that is configured to send data through a backup communication path in response to detected degradation of the received optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for use in communications, comprising:
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an optical transceiver configured to transmit data in an active mode in an optical signal through a free-space optical path of a communication link extending through a terrestrial free-space region;
the optical transceiver further configured to detect degradation of a received optical signal; and
interface circuitry coupled to the optical transceiver that is configured to automatically switch from the active mode to a standby mode in response to detected degradation of the received optical signal;
wherein the standby mode includes transmitting data in a radio frequency (RF) signal through a free-space RF path of the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification