20 Gbit / s wireless optical connection

It can be difficult to make a wire connection between two points, for example, when there is a river in the middle. Google is developing new wireless optical connectivity technology. The first results are interesting.

Project Tara // Source: Google

Google is a global web service provider. In the United States, it offers Fiber optic connections For many individuals. Around the world, they have taken many such initiatives Project Loon : The idea was to use stratospheric helium balloons to distribute wireless internet.

As a reminder, these balloons were supposed to fly about 20 kilometers from the ground, each emitting a signal with a diameter of about 80 kilometers. Tests made it possible to get a performance of 15 Mbit. Unfortunately, the design of the balloons was a real concern. In addition, balloons must be flown for 100 days before being replaced. There are also plans to use solar-powered drones in 2017.

The new project led by Google is called Project Tara, which is a wireless optical connection.

Transfer 700 dB of data for approximately 5 km

This is the first brick of the Loon project: Alphabet (Google’s parent company) cut this area into a unique project Tara. His real name FSOC, For Free Space Optical Communications, The goal is to create a high-speed 20 Gbit / s connection from two points with a clear line of sight.

After initial tests in India, after pilot projects in Kenya, Google’s X Lab Revealed the efficiency of its wireless optical connection, which made it possible to connect two cities across the Congo River from Pressa in the Republic of the Congo and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Overall, these are 700TB of data was transferred over a distance of about 5 km with 99.99% operating time. It is a more economical and efficient connection up to 20 Gbit / s than a wired connection between two cities.

Tests will continue: They must take into account a number of obstacles, such as weather conditions such as fog, light rain, passing birds and adjusting the power of the laser and its target.

Project Tara // Source: Google

As you can see from the GIF above, the system will allow you to attach the glass automatically. The light beam of narrow width ends when we reach the target of 5 cm from a distance of 10 km. The system can be adjusted at plus or minus 5 degrees angle. Occasionally, a team of engineers can intervene to make precise changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaEEZHU25GU

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