Adaptive Multiplexing for Free-Space Optical Communication

"Laser-based adaptive wavelength division multiplexing and code division multiplexing" (LAWDM-CDM) is the name of a method that has been proposed to increase security, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), redundancy, and adaptability in free-space optical communications. The need for this or a similar method arises as follows:• In free-space optical communications, various phenomena can affect the propagation and reception of laser beams; these phenomena include jitter of transmitter and receiver platforms and atmospheric attenuation and distortion of laser beams. In a conventional free-space optical communication system, data are transmitted at a constant rate that is not changed to adapt to changing conditions; consequently, for example, a sudden change in weather can disable the free-space optical link, causing loss of data.