Free-space optical high-speed link in the urban area of southern Rome: Preliminary experimental set up and channel modelling

The activity devoted to the deployment of a new free space optics (FSO) link set up in Rome (Italy) is illustrated together with a preliminary FSO channel modelling and coupled optical/meteorological measurements. The two-way optical link at 1550 nm is about 1 km long and has a transmission rate up 1.5 Gbps. Among dust, precipitation, turbulence, fog, and any flying objects affecting the capacity of the optical channel, a focus is placed on water particle effects (fog and rain). A semi-empirical model evaluation of these atmospheric effects is illustrated.