OFC 2025: Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition

The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) is the premier conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals.

Moscone Center

Weather Resilient Communications of the Future

This panel explores the challenges and solutions related to weather resilience in communications technologies, focusing on satellite-to-ground links. Radiofrequency (RF) communications, known for their robustness against atmospheric conditions, are compared with free-space optical communications, which are more susceptible to weather disruptions. The dialogue evaluates the bandwidth limitations of RF and the high data rate capabilities of free space optical (FSO) communications, despite their vulnerability to atmospheric disturbances.

The panel will focus on the art of the possible in point-to-point communication links. However, we will explore as well what can be achieved through hybrid strategies and by focusing on availability on a network level, e.g. utilizing geographic diversity by locating FSO ground stations where the weather conditions are most favorable in combination with terrestrial technologies. Finally, we will discuss the potential of using wavelengths (e.g. long-wavelength infrared or mid-wavelength infrared) less sensitive to atmospheric effects to enhance the reliability of FSO communications. Does this provide sufficient benefits compared to 1550 nm wavelengths, which allows for the re-use of mature and cost-effective technologies from the telecom industry ecosystem?

Organizers

Speakers