Point-to-multipoint wide area telecommunications network via atmospheric laser transmission through a remote optical router

• US 5,786,923 A
• Filed: 03/29/1996
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seafort International Trading, S.r.l.
• Original Assignee: Dominion Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Panak, David L., Doucet, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NEGASH, KINFE MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/625,725
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 359/143, 359/118, 359/152, 359/172, 359/128, 359/125, 359/139, 359/159, 359/169-170, 359/176, 359/178
• US Class Current: 398/122
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1121 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1125 using a single common optical path
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1127 using two distinct parallel optical paths
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/16 Half-duplex systems; Simplex/duplex switching; Transmission of break signals non-automatically inverting the direction of transmission

Abstract

A point-to-multipoint bi-directional wide area telecommunications network employing atmospheric optical communication. The network comprises a primary transceiver unit, a plurality of subscriber transceiver units and an optical router. The primary transceiver unit generates a first light beam on which it modulates first data. The primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits the first light beam to the optical router which demodulates the first data, modulates the first data on a second light beam and transmits the second light beam to the plurality of subscriber transceiver units in multiplexed manner. The subscriber transceiver units receive the second light beam and demodulate the first data from the second light beam. Conversely, the subscriber transceiver units atmospherically transmit a third light beam on which they modulate second data to the optical router which demodulates the second data, modulates the second data on a fourth light beam and transmits the fourth light beam to the primary transceiver unit. The primary transceiver unit atmospherically receives the fourth light beam and demodulates the respective second data from the fourth light beam. The optical router of the network comprises a secondary transceiver unit, a plurality of transceiver modules and an electronic router for routing data between the secondary transceiver unit and the plurality of transceiver modules to establish communication channels between the primary transceiver unit and the plurality of subscriber transceiver units. The secondary transceiver unit communicates with the primary transceiver unit and the transceiver modules communicate with the subscriber transceiver units. The transceiver modules comprise an X-Y beam deflector for deflecting the second and third light beams to a portion of the subscriber transceiver units in a time-multiplexed fashion. In an alternate embodiment of the optical router, the first light beam is redirected to the subscriber transceiver units and the third light beam is redirected to the primary transceiver unit by a mirror and lens set assembly rather than being demodulated and modulated in the router. Applications such as telephony, the Internet, teleconferencing, radio broadcast, HDTV, interactive TV, and other television forms are contemplated for employment on the network.

Claims

1. A point-to-multipoint bi-directional wide area communications network employing atmospheric optical communication, comprising:

a primary transceiver unit comprising a primary light source configured to generate a first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to modulate first data on said first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said first data;

an optical router configured to receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit; and

a plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein said optical router is configured to receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit and redirect said first light beam to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam from said optical router, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said first light beam;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to modulate respective second data on a second light beam, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units atmospherically transmits said second light beam including said respective second data;

wherein said optical router is configured to receive a plurality of said second light beams including said respective second data from said plurality of subscriber transceiver units and redirect said second light beams to said primary transceiver unit;

wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically receives said second light beams including said respective second data, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to demodulate said respective second data from said second light beams; and

wherein said primary transceiver unit, said optical router and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprise a wide area optical telecommunications network.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein said optical router redirects said first light beam to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit and redirects said second light beam from respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said primary transceiver unit during respective time periods.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein said first and second light beams comprise a plurality of wavelengths, wherein said optical router redirects said first light beam to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit and redirects said second light beam from respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said primary transceiver unit according to respective wavelengths of said first and second light beams.

4. The network of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said optical routers configured to atmospherically redirect a plurality of said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

5. The network of claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of optical routers has an associated range of accessibility to one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of optical routers and said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are spatially located whereby said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are within said associated range of accessibility of at least two of said plurality of optical routers.

6. The network of claim 1, wherein said first light beam and said second light beam are substantially collinear.

7. The network of claim 6, wherein said first light beam and second light beam have different wavelengths or polarities.

8. The network of claim 1, wherein said optical router comprises:

an optical antenna which atmospherically receives said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit and atmospherically transmits said second light beam including said respective second data to said primary transceiver unit;

a mirror which reflects said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

an X-Y beam deflector optically positioned between said optical antenna and said mirror which deflects said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said mirror; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said X-Y beam deflector which controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said mirror.

9. The network of claim 1,

wherein said optical router comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein said primary transceiver unit comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein said optical router active optics beam control system and said primary transceiver unit active optics beam control system cooperate to maintain optical stabilization of said first light beam from said primary transceiver unit to said optical router.

10. The network of claim 1,

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein said optical router comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver unit active optics beam control systems and said optical router active optics beam control system cooperate to maintain optical stabilization of said second light beam from each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said optical router.

11. The network of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units includes a subscriber light source configured to generate said second light beam.

12. The network of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to remove said first data from said first light beam after demodulating at least a portion of said first data from said first light beam and before modulating said respective second data on said second light beam, wherein said first light beam is said second light beam.

13. The network of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units includes a subscriber optical antenna coupled to an input/output device by a transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of said first data and said second data are communicated between said subscriber optical antenna and said input/output device along said transmission medium.

14. The network of claim 13, wherein said transmission medium is a fiber optic cable, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to couple said first light beam including at least a portion of said first data into said fiber optic cable to said input/output device, wherein said input/output device is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said first light beam, wherein said input/output device further comprises a subscriber light source which generates said second light beam, wherein said input/output device is configured to modulate said respective second data on said second light beam, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to decouple said second light beam including said respective second data from said fiber optic cable and atmospherically transmit said second light beam including said respective second data to said optical router.

15. The network of claim 13, wherein said transmission medium is a fiber optic cable, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to couple said first light beam including at least a portion of said first data into said fiber optic cable to said input/output device, wherein said input/output device is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said first light beam, wherein said input/output device is configured to modulate said respective second data on said second light beam, wherein said input/output device is configured to remove said first data from said first light beam after demodulating at least a portion of said first data from said first light beam and before modulating said respective second data on said second light beam, wherein said first light beam is said second light beam, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to decouple said second light beam including said respective second data from said fiber optic cable and atmospherically transmit said second light beam including said respective second data to said optical router.

16. The network of claim 1, wherein said primary transceiver unit transmits timing control information to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of subscriber transceiver units utilize said timing control information to determine when to transmit said second light beam including said respective second data.

17. The network of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a rotatably mounted optical antenna, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to rotate said optical antenna to detect the location of said optical router.

18. The network of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of optical routers, wherein said plurality of subscriber transceiver units rotate said optical antenna to detect an alternate optical router upon losing reception of said first light beam.

19. The network of claim 1, wherein said first and second light beams have adjustable power levels to achieve a proper fade margin according to varying atmospheric conditions.

20. A point-to-multipoint bi-directional wide area communications network employing an atmospheric optical communications path comprising:

a plurality of subscriber transceiver units each configured to modulate respective first data on a first light beam, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said respective first data, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units atmospherically receives a second light beam including respective second data, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to demodulate said respective second data from said second light beam, wherein said atmospheric optical communications path comprises said first light beam and said second light beam;

a primary transceiver unit comprising a primary light source configured to generate said second light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to modulate said respective second data on said second light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said second light beam including said respective second data, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically receives said first light beam including said respective first data, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to demodulate said respective first data from said first light beam; and

an optical router configured to atmospherically redirect said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein said primary transceiver unit, said optical router and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprise a wide area optical telecommunications network.

21. The network of claim 20, wherein said optical router is configured to redirect said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units during a first time period and redirect said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units during a second time period.

22. The network of claim 20, wherein said second light beam comprises a first wavelength light beam and a second wavelength light beam, wherein said optical router redirects said first wavelength light beam to a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router redirects said second wavelength light beam to a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit.

23. The network of claim 20, wherein said first light beam comprises a first wavelength light beam and a second wavelength light beam, wherein said optical router redirects said first wavelength light beam from a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router redirects said second wavelength light beam from a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said primary transceiver unit.

24. The network of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of said optical routers configured to atmospherically redirect a plurality of said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

25. The network of claim 24, wherein each of said plurality of optical routers has an associated range of accessibility to one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of optical routers and said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are spatially located whereby said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are within said associated range of accessibility of at least two of said plurality of optical routers.

26. The network of claim 20, wherein said optical router comprises:

an optical antenna which atmospherically receives said second light beam including said respective second data from said primary transceiver unit and atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said respective first data to said primary transceiver unit;

a mirror which reflects said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

an X-Y beam deflector optically positioned between said optical antenna and said mirror which deflects said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said mirror; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said X-Y beam deflector which controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said mirror.

27. The network of claim 20, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a subscriber light source configured to generate said first light beam.

28. The network of claim 20, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a subscriber optical antenna coupled to an input/output device by a transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of said respective first data and said second data are communicated between said subscriber optical antenna and said input/output device along said transmission medium.

29. A broadcast wide area optical communications network employing atmospheric optical communication, comprising:

a primary transceiver unit comprising a primary light source configured to generate a first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to modulate first data on said first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said first data;

an optical router configured to receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit; and

a plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein said optical router is configured to receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit and redirect said first light beam to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam from said optical router, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said first light beam;

wherein said primary transceiver unit, said optical router and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprise a wide area optical telecommunications network.

30. The network of claim 29, wherein said optical router redirects said first light beam to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit during respective time periods.

31. The network of claim 29, wherein said first light beam comprises a plurality of wavelengths, wherein said optical router redirects said first light beam to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit according to respective wavelengths of said first light beam.

32. The network of claim 29 further comprising a plurality of said optical routers configured to atmospherically redirect a plurality of said first light beam between said primary transceiver unit and a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

33. The network of claim 32, wherein each of said plurality of optical routers has an associated range of accessibility to one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of optical routers and said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are spatially located whereby said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are within said associated range of accessibility of at least two of said plurality of optical routers.

34. The network of claim 29, wherein said optical router comprises:

an optical antenna which atmospherically receives said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit;

a mirror which reflects said first light beam between said optical antenna and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

an X-Y beam deflector optically positioned between said optical antenna and said mirror which deflects said first light beam between said optical antenna and said mirror; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said X-Y beam deflector which controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first light beam between said optical antenna and said mirror.

35. The network of claim 29, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a subscriber optical antenna coupled to an input/output device by a transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of said first data is communicated between said subscriber optical antenna and said input/output device along said transmission medium.

36. An optical router for routing atmospheric light beams between a primary transceiver unit and a plurality of subscriber transceiver units, comprising:

an optical antenna which atmospherically receives one or more first light beams including first data from said primary transceiver unit and atmospherically transmits one or more second light beams including respective second data to said primary transceiver unit;

a mirror which reflects said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

an X-Y beam deflector optically positioned between said optical antenna and said mirror which deflects said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said mirror; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said X-Y beam deflector which controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first and second light beams between said optical antenna and said mirror.

37. The optical router of claim 36, wherein during a first time period said optical router redirects said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein during a second time period said optical router redirects said first and second light beams between said primary transceiver unit and a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

38. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said first light beams comprises a first wavelength light beam and a second wavelength light beam, wherein said optical router redirects said first wavelength light beam to a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router redirects said second wavelength light beam to a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit.

39. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said optical router receives routing control information from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said beam deflector control system uses said routing control information to control said X-Y beam deflector.

40. The optical router of claim 39, wherein said routing control information comprises angular position information about each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units and router time switching information.

41. The optical router of claim 37 further comprising:

an optical receiver;

wherein during a third time period said beam deflector control system controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first light beams from said primary transceiver to said mirror such that said mirror reflects said first light beams to said optical receiver rather than to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said optical receiver receives said first light beams, wherein said first light beams include routing control information, wherein said optical receiver demodulates said routing control information from said first light beams, wherein said beam deflector control system is coupled to said optical receiver and receives said routing control information from said optical receiver, wherein said beam deflector control system uses said routing control information to control said X-Y beam deflector.

42. The optical router of claim 38 further comprising:

an optical receiver;

wherein said first light beams comprise a third wavelength light beam, wherein said beam deflector control system controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first light beams from said primary transceiver to said mirror such that said mirror reflects said third wavelength light beam to said optical receiver rather than to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said optical receiver receives said third wavelength light beam, wherein said third wavelength light beam includes routing control information, wherein said optical receiver demodulates said routing control information from said third wavelength light beam, wherein said beam deflector control system is coupled to said optical receiver and receives said routing control information from said optical receiver, wherein said beam deflector control system uses said routing control information to control said X-Y beam deflector.

43. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said first light beam and said second light beam are substantially collinear.

44. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said mirror is a convex mirror, wherein said optical router further comprises a lens set substantially concentric with said convex mirror, wherein said convex mirror is positioned within said lens set, wherein said lens set expands and re-collimates said first light beam from said convex mirror to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said lens set focuses said second light beam from said plurality of subscriber transceiver units on said convex mirror.

45. The optical router of claim 44, wherein an aperture is formed in said lens set through which said first and second light beams travel between said X-Y beam deflector and said convex mirror.

46. The optical router of claim 44, wherein said mirror and said lens set collimate said second light beam, wherein said second light beam is collimated in a manner optimized for the access area of the optical router.

47. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said X-Y beam deflector is one or more galvanometer mirror pairs.

48. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said X-Y beam deflector is one or more acousto-optic deflectors.

49. The optical router of claim 36, wherein said X-Y beam deflector is one or more solid-state beam deflectors.

50. The optical router of claim 36 further comprising:

an active optics beam control system in cooperation with said primary transceiver unit to maintain optical stabilization of said first light beams from said primary transceiver unit on said optical antenna.

51. The optical router of claim 36 further comprising:

an active optics beam control system in cooperation with said primary transceiver unit and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to maintain optical stabilization of said second light beams from said subscriber transceiver units on said optical antenna.

52. The optical router of claim 36 further comprising:

an active optics beam control system which detects and adjusts for angular misalignment of said first light beams from said primary transceiver unit to said X-Y beam deflector.

53. An optical router for routing atmospheric light beams from a primary transceiver unit to a plurality of subscriber transceiver units, comprising:

an optical antenna which atmospherically receives one or more first light beams including first data from said primary transceiver unit;

a mirror which reflects said one or more first light beams from said optical antenna to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

an X-Y beam deflector optically positioned between said optical antenna and said mirror which deflects said one or more first light beams from said optical antenna to said mirror; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said X-Y beam deflector which controls said X-Y beam deflector to deflect said first light beams from said optical antenna to said mirror.

54. The optical router of claim 53, wherein during a first time period said optical router redirects said first light beam between said primary transceiver unit and a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein during a second time period said optical router redirects said first light beam between said primary transceiver unit and a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

55. The optical router of claim 53, wherein said first light beams comprises a first wavelength light beam and a second wavelength light beam, wherein said optical router redirects said first wavelength light beam to a first of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router redirects said second wavelength light beam to a second of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units from said primary transceiver unit.

56. The optical router of claim 53, wherein said optical router receives routing control information from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said beam deflector control system uses said routing control information to control said X-Y beam deflector.

57. The optical router of claim 53, wherein said mirror is a convex mirror, wherein said optical router further comprises a lens set substantially concentric with said convex mirror, wherein said convex mirror is positioned within said lens set, wherein said lens set expands and re-collimates said first light beam from said convex mirror to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

58. A point-to-multipoint bi-directional wide area communications network employing atmospheric optical communication, comprising:

a primary transceiver unit comprising a primary light source configured to generate a first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to modulate first data on said first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said first data;

an optical router configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit; and

a plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein said optical router is configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router atmospherically transmits a second light beam including said first data to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to atmospherically receive said second light beam including said first data from said optical router, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said second light beam;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to modulate respective second data on a third light beam, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units atmospherically transmits said third light beam including said respective second data to said optical router;

wherein said optical router is configured to atmospherically receive said third light beam including said respective second data from said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said optical router atmospherically transmits a fourth light beam including said respective second data to said primary transceiver unit; and

wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically receives said fourth light beam including said respective second data, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to demodulate said respective second data from said fourth light beams

wherein said primary transceiver unit said optical router and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprise a wide area optical telecommunications network.

59. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router is configured to demodulate said first data from said first light beam, wherein said optical router comprises an optical router light source configured to generate said second light beam, wherein said optical router is configured to modulate said first data on said second light beam.

60. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router is configured to demodulate said respective second data from said third light beam, wherein said optical router comprises an optical router light source configured to generate said fourth light beam, wherein said optical router is configured to modulate said respective second data on said fourth light beam.

61. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router is configured to atmospherically transmit said second light beam including said first data to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units and atmospherically receive said third light beam including said respective second data from said respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units during respective time periods.

62. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router is configured to route said first data from said primary transceiver unit to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units and to route said respective second data from said respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said primary transceiver unit during respective time periods.

63. The network of claim 58, further comprising a plurality of said optical routers configured to route a plurality of said first and second data between said primary transceiver unit and a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

64. The network of claim 63, wherein each of said plurality of optical routers has an associated range of accessibility to one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of optical routers and said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are spatially located whereby said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are within said associated range of accessibility of at least two of said plurality of optical routers.

65. The network of claim 58, wherein said first light beam and said fourth light beam are substantially collinear.

66. The network of claim 58, wherein said second light beam and said third light beam are substantially collinear.

67. The network of claim 58, wherein said first light beam and said fourth light beam have different wavelengths or polarities.

68. The network of claim 58, wherein said second light beam and said third light beam have different wavelengths or polarities.

69. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router comprises:

one or more transceiver modules, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically receive said third light beam including said respective second data, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically transmit said second light beam including said first data;

a secondary transceiver unit, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically receives said first light beam including said first data, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said fourth light beam including said respective second data; and

an electronic router electronically coupling said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules, wherein said electronic router routes said first data and said respective second data between said secondary transceiver unit and said one or more transceiver modules.

70. The network of claim 58,

wherein said optical router comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein said primary transceiver unit comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein said optical router active optics beam control system and said primary transceiver unit active optics beam control system cooperate to maintain optical stabilization of said first light beam from said primary transceiver unit to said optical router.

71. The network of claim 58,

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein said optical router comprises an active optics beam control system;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver unit active optics beam control systems and said optical router active optics beam control system cooperate to maintain optical stabilization of said third light beam from each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said optical router.

72. The network of claim 58, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units includes a subscriber light source configured to generate said third light beam.

73. The network of claim 58, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to remove said first data from said second light beam after demodulating at least a portion of said first data from said second light beam and before modulating said respective second data on said third light beam, wherein said second light beam is said third light beam.

74. The network of claim 58, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units includes a subscriber optical antenna coupled to an input/output device by a transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of said first data and said respective second data are communicated between said subscriber optical antenna and said input/output device along said transmission medium.

75. The network of claim 74, wherein said transmission medium is a fiber optic cable, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to couple said second light beam including at least a portion of said first data into said fiber optic cable to said input/output device, wherein said input/output device is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said second light beam, wherein said input/output device further comprises a subscriber light source which generates said third light beam, wherein said input/output device is configured to modulate said respective second data on said third light beam, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to decouple said third light beam including said respective second data from said fiber optic cable and atmospherically transmit said third light beam including said respective second data to said optical router.

76. The network of claim 74, wherein said transmission medium is a fiber optic cable, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to couple said second light beam including at least a portion of said first data into said fiber optic cable to said input/output device, wherein said input/output device is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said second light beam, wherein said input/output device is configured to modulate said respective second data on said third light beam, wherein said input/output device is configured to remove said first data from said second light beam after demodulating at least a portion of said first data from said second light beam and before modulating said respective second data on said third light beam, wherein said second light beam is said third light beam, wherein said subscriber optical antenna is configured to decouple said third light beam including said respective second data from said fiber optic cable and atmospherically transmit said third light beam including said respective second data to said optical router.

77. The network of claim 58, wherein said primary transceiver unit transmits timing control information to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of subscriber transceiver units utilize said timing control information to determine when to transmit said third light beam including said respective second data.

78. The network of claim 58, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a rotatably mounted optical antenna, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to rotate said optical antenna to detect the location of said optical router.

79. The network of claim 78 further comprising a plurality of optical routers, wherein said plurality of subscriber transceiver units rotate said optical antenna to detect an alternate optical router upon losing reception of said second light beam.

80. The network of claim 58, wherein said first, second, third and fourth light beams have adjustable power levels to achieve a proper fade margin according to varying atmospheric conditions.

81. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router and at least one or more of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are separated by a distance of greater than 2000 feet.

82. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router and at least one or more of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are separated by a distance of up to 4000 feet.

83. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router and said primary transceiver unit are separated by a distance of more than one half mile.

84. The network of claim 58, wherein said optical router and said primary transceiver unit are separated by a distance which ranges from one half to ten miles.

85. The network of claim 58, wherein a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are located at different subscriber premises.

86. The network of claim 85, wherein said primary transceiver unit is located at a location different from said subscriber premises.

87. A point-to-multipoint bi-directional wide area communications network employing atmospheric optical communication comprising:

a primary transceiver unit comprising a primary light source configured to generate a first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to modulate respective first data on said first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said respective first data, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically receives a second light beam including respective second data, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to demodulate said respective second data from said second light beam;

a plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units atmospherically receives a third light beam including said respective first data, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to demodulate said respective first data from said third light beam, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to modulate said respective second data on a fourth light beam, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units atmospherically transmits said fourth light beam including said respective second data; and

an optical router configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam including said respective first data from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router atmospherically transmits said third light beam including said respective first data to one or more of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said optical router is configured to receive said fourth light beams including said respective second data, wherein said optical router atmospherically transmits said second light beam including said respective second data to said primary transceiver unit;

wherein said primary transceiver unit said optical router and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprise a wide area optical telecommunications network.

88. The network of claim 87, wherein said optical router is configured to demodulate said respective first data from said first light beam, wherein said optical router comprises a first optical router light source configured to generate said third light beam, wherein said optical router is configured to modulate said respective first data on said third light beam.

89. The network of claim 87, wherein said optical router is configured to demodulate said respective second data from said fourth light beams, wherein said optical router comprises a second optical router light source configured to generate said second light beam, wherein said optical router is configured to modulate said respective second data on said second light beam.

90. The network of claim 87, wherein said optical router is configured to atmospherically transmit said third light beam including said respective first data to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units and atmospherically receive said fourth light beam including said respective second data from said respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units during respective time periods.

91. The network of claim 87, wherein said optical router is configured to route said respective first data from said primary transceiver unit to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units and to route said respective second data from said respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units to said primary transceiver unit during respective time periods.

92. The network of claim 87, further comprising a plurality of said optical routers configured to route a plurality of said respective first and second data between said primary transceiver unit and a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

93. The network of claim 92, wherein each of said plurality of optical routers has an associated range of accessibility to one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of optical routers and said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are spatially located whereby said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are within said associated range of accessibility of at least two of said plurality of optical routers.

94. The network of claim 87, wherein said optical router comprises:

one or more transceiver modules, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically receive said fourth light beam including said respective second data, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically transmit said third light beam including said respective first data;

a secondary transceiver unit, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically receives said first light beam including said respective first data, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said second light beam including said respective second data; and

an electronic router electronically coupling said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules, wherein said electronic router routes said respective first data and said respective second data between said secondary transceiver unit and said one or more transceiver modules.

95. The network of claim 87, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a subscriber light source configured to generate said fourth light beam.

96. The network of claim 87, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a subscriber optical antenna coupled to an input/output device by a transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of said respective first data and said respective second data are communicated between said subscriber optical antenna and said input/output device along said transmission medium.

97. A broadcast wide area communications network employing atmospheric optical communication, comprising:

a primary transceiver unit comprising a primary light source configured to generate a first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit is configured to modulate first data on said first light beam, wherein said primary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits said first light beam including said first data;

an optical router configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit; and

a plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein said optical router is configured to atmospherically receive said first light beam including said first data from said primary transceiver unit, wherein said optical router atmospherically transmits a second light beam including said first data to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units;

wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to atmospherically receive said second light beam including said first data from said optical router, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units is configured to demodulate at least a portion of said first data from said second light beam;

wherein said primary transceiver unit, said optical router and said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprise a wide area optical telecommunications network.

98. The network of claim 97, wherein said optical router is configured to demodulate said first data from said first light beam, wherein said optical router comprises an optical router light source configured to generate said second light beam, wherein said optical router is configured to modulate said first data on said second light beam.

99. The network of claim 97, wherein said optical router is configured to atmospherically transmit said second light beam including said first data to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units during respective time periods.

100. The network of claim 97, wherein said optical router is configured to route said first data from said primary transceiver unit to respective ones of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units during respective time periods.

101. The network of claim 97, further comprising a plurality of said optical routers configured to route a plurality of said first data between said primary transceiver unit and a plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

102. The network of claim 101, wherein each of said plurality of optical routers has an associated range of accessibility to one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units, wherein said plurality of optical routers and said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are spatially located whereby said one or more of said plurality of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units are within said associated range of accessibility of at least two of said plurality of optical routers.

103. The network of claim 97, wherein said optical router comprises:

one or more transceiver modules, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically transmit said second light beam including said first data;

a secondary transceiver unit, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically receives said first light beam including said first data; and

an electronic router electronically coupling said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules, wherein said electronic router routes said first data from said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules.

104. The network of claim 97, wherein each of said plurality of subscriber transceiver units comprises a subscriber optical antenna coupled to an input/output device by a transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of said first data is communicated between said subscriber optical antenna and said input/output device along said transmission medium.

105. An optical router for routing data, comprising:

one or more transceiver modules, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically receive a first light beam including respective first data, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically transmit a second light beam including respective second data;

a secondary transceiver unit, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically receives a third light beam including said respective second data, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically transmits a fourth light beam including said respective first data;

an electronic router electronically coupling said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules, wherein said electronic router routes said respective first data and said respective second data between said secondary transceiver unit and said one or more transceiver modules; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said electronic router and said one or more transceiver modules;

wherein each of said one or more transceiver modules comprises;

a beam demodulator configured to receive said first light beam including said respective first data and demodulate said respective first data from said first light beam;

a light source configured to generate said second light beam; and

an X-Y beam deflector configured to receive said first light beam from a plurality of subscriber transceiver units and deflect said first light beam to said beam demodulator, wherein said X-Y beam deflector is configured to receive said second light beam from said light source and deflect said second light beam including said respective second data to said plurality of subscriber transceiver units.

106. An optical router for routing data, comprising:

a secondary transceiver unit, wherein said secondary transceiver unit atmospherically receives a first light beam including respective first data;

one or more transceiver modules, wherein said one or more transceiver modules atmospherically transmit a second light beam including said respective first data; and

an electronic router electronically coupling said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules, wherein said electronic router routes said respective first data from said secondary transceiver unit to said one or more transceiver modules; and

a beam deflector control system coupled to said electronic router and said one or more transceiver modules;

wherein each of said one or more transceiver modules comprises;

a light source configured to generate said second light beam; and

an X-Y beam deflector configured to receive said second light beam from said light source and deflect said second light beam including said respective first data to a plurality of subscriber transceiver units.