Program for Analyzing Free-Space Optical Communication Links

"Free-Space Optical Communications Analysis Software" (FOCAS) is the name of a spreadsheet computer program for analysis of direct-detection (as distinguished from heterodyne-detection) optical data-communication links. Implemented within the Microsoft Excel software system, FOCAS exploits the flexibility and power of the Excel spreadsheet features. An easy-to-use graphical user interface to the spreadsheet has been developed in Visual Basic for Applications to facilitate insertion of parameters of optical components and of other input data. Optionally, the user can select the automatic insertion of parameters from a data base of known commercial components. Thus, even nonexperts who lack detailed knowledge of optical components can perform analyses.