An optical system for line-of-sight communication

We design and implement a system for short and medium range directional two-way wireless communication. The system uses infrared radiation to transmit and receive voice data digitally. We utilize narrow angle infrared light emitting diodes for transmission, directed across a reasonable angular range that allows the system to transmit across a narrow beam to the receiver, avoiding the dangers of detection, jamming, and eavesdropping that traditional omnidirectional radio transmission entails. On the receiving end, a wide-angle detector is used. The system is integrated inconspicuously into a military vest, allowing the wearer to communicate while on the field. In the working version of this system we use traditional semiconductor photodetectors and receivers. We also investigate the properties of optoelectronic fibers, novel semiconductor devices that can act as line detectors of light. We characterize these fibers, and analyze their potential for use as photodetecting devices in this system.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Mehta, Agustya R

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Yoel Fink and Ofer Shapira.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53173

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/53173