NEC has succeeded in communicating over a distance of over 10 km, the longest distance on earth in Japan (Note 1), in optical space communications, which communicates by sending and receiving optical beams in space without using physical paths such as optical fiber. In addition, the company also succeeded in communicating over a difference in altitude between the rooftop of the Tokyo Skytree® observation deck and the ground, which was approximately 3 km away.
Optical space communication is a communication method that enables wireless communication at higher speeds and with larger capacity than radio waves. In addition, it has features such as low risk of interception by third parties due to its high directivity and the fact that the beam does not spread, low communication interference and congestion (Note 2), and no need to apply for radio wave usage.
Applications that make use of these features are expected to include communication in places and regions where it is difficult to install optical fiber, and communication between ships at sea and the ground. It is also expected to be used as an alternative and emergency communication when wired communication networks are damaged during disasters and communication becomes difficult, and for highly confidential short- and medium-distance communication related to national security.
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On the other hand, there are challenges with optical space communication on the ground, such as the impact of atmospheric fluctuations such as heat haze on communication increasing with distance, and the difficulty of understanding atmospheric fluctuations that differ depending on the altitude, making it difficult to ensure stable communication.
NEC has now resolved these issues by applying the acquisition and tracking technology it has developed for communications systems and the long-distance optical communications technology in space that is used for artificial satellites, and has succeeded in achieving long-distance communications of over 10 km and altitude differences in terrestrial optical space communications.
SOURCE: NEC
