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Optical Link
What is an Optical Link?
An Optical Link is a communication path that uses light to transmit information between a transmitter and a receiver. Optical links can use optical fiber or free space as the transmission medium and typically combine a laser source, optical modulation, transmission optics, and a photodetector.
Optical links enable high-bandwidth, low-loss, and low-latency communication, making them essential in fiber-optic networks, free-space optical communication, and satellite laser communication.
How an Optical Link Works
An optical link converts information into an optical signal, transmit it through a fiber or a space-free space, and converts the received optical signal back into usable information.
Signal generation and modulation
A laser generates the optical carrier, while an optical modulator encodes information onto the light.
Optical transmission
The modulated signal travels through an optical fiber or free space. The link must maintain sufficient optical power and signal quality throughout the transmission path.
Signal reception
A photodetector converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal, which is then processed to recover the transmitted information.
