Satellite communications, free space optics and wireless LAN combined: worldwide broadband wireless access independent of terrestrial infrastructure

We have developed a communication system, which allows worldwide access to the Internet or other networks apart from terrestrial infrastructure by combined satellite communications, FSO, and wireless LAN. Wireless LAN offers connectivity to mobile users in a network cell, free space optics allows quick installation of broadband fixed wireless links instead of a cable and satellite communications provides a backbone between distant locations on the world. Efficient interoperability requires a deeper understanding of function and characteristics of the different technologies as we aim to describe in this paper.