ABSTRACT

Built a tabletop frequency modulation (FM) communication system that uses a

laser field as the carrier. Voice information is encoded on the laser beam using an
acousto-optic modulator, and it is extracted by a Michelson-type interferometer
and a FM radio. This system can easily be converted to an intensity-modulated
communication system. We discuss similar systems based on phase or polarization
modulation using an electro-optic modulator.

This work was supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (R01-
2005-10477). S.K.L. acknowledges support from the Seoul R&BD program. We
thank C. I. Sukenik at Old Dominion University for help in designing the AOM
driver.
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction

Our final year project is based on the concept of laser (Light Amplification by
Stimulated Emission of Radiation) for transmitting analog as well as digital
signals. We have used phototransistor to receive the signal at receiver. For voice
transmission amplitude modulation of laser pulse was used to transmit the voice
signal. Condenser microphone converts the voice into electric pulse which was
then amplified and transmitted through laser. Photo detector at receiver detects the
laser light and voice was output through loud speaker.

Data transmission is based on pulse width modulation by the use of

microcontroller. Different width of laser pulse was used for different number and
character. The microcontroller was used to decode the different characters and the
received data is used to turn on devices.

Now a day, information transmission plays a crucial role, where an ever-

growing capacity for communication services is required. The Various
communications modes provide us various routes data channels through which
data and information can flow among individuals. Communication can be between
individuals, and even between machines. The flow of information can be forming a
human being to equipment and vice versa. Just like the satellite mode of
communication or the optical mode of communication, communication can also
occur with the help of laser.

In this mode of communication, the information is transferred through free

space. In the laser mode of communication; the signals are transmitted from the
wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver without any hindrance or obstruction.
Such condition is also called line of sight condition where the signals are
transmitted without any obstruction. Laser diode is the major carrier in this mode
of communication. It does not require any kind of wires and cables and hence is
not a very expensive mode of communication. This mode of communication is also
faster as compared to the other modes and thus is mostly preferred over other types
of communication system.
 Two of the major requirements in communication systems are privacy and
security. This project is a proof-of-concept device that transmits an audio and
digital signal using a laser beam, while removing the need for the user to align the
beam themselves. Light is already becoming a popular means of communication,
thanks to fiber optics, which can guide optical data much like a wire transmits
current. It might seem impractical, then, to use lasers without a guiding medium to
transmit information. However, in contexts where a physical connection is
impossible or unfeasible, and the need for a focused beam arises, it would seem
logical to use laser light. In particular, free space laser communication has useful
applications to military logistics, where information on the front must be kept
limited to friendly ears, and ground-to-air links are important. We decided to create
a simple and inexpensive proof-of-concept to demonstrate the advantages of this
seemingly impractical scheme.

Our project is divided into two distinct sections: audio transmission via
hardware, and alignment control via software. The former can be accomplished
once the latter has succeeded, making the two tasks mutually dependent for overall
functionality. This is done by detecting the light emitted from the receiver’s laser
using a phototransistor. The transmitter scans over its free range until it finds the
receiver, at which point the transmitting laser is turned on and the audio signal is
picked up by an array of photodiodes. The details of this process are explored
below.

Since our device is a low power setup that produces minimal interfering noise,
there are no legal issues at hand.