PROGRESS REPORT No.

Electronics and Communications Department

Graduation Project 2023/2024

PROGRESS REPORT No. (1)

Project Title Design of Free Space Optical Communication Link

Name of the Student Doha Abdelrahman Sayed
ID
Supervisor Dr/ Amr Wageh

For The Month of December, 2023

(Use separate sheets, for each of the items A, B, C, … if space provided in this sheet is not sufficient)

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1. Problem statement: (Explain the main problem that the proposed project addresses)
Laser is more secure, it doesn't get affected by Magnetic fields so it can be used in interior
places which can be exposed to a lot of magnetic fields which can create distortion to systems
such as microwave, it can be implemented in small communities like university campus, etc,
and it can provide a high grade of security and higher data rate for the user.

2. Project Objectives: (State the objectives that the proposed project aims to achieve)
• The main objective of this project is to design Free Space Optical Communication
Link.
• Design a Microwave backup link.

3. Introduction: (Explain the idea of the project, its different parts, and the function of each part,
supported by the illustrations of the proposed system model)

3.The project aims to design FSO System and backup line (Microwave System)
3.1. Design
The FSO system will be hardware system, and because of the expensive budget of the microwave system the
team building this system software.

3.1.1.Block diagram of FSO

Fig 1: FSO Block diagram

3.1.2. MW System
We using the CST and Matlab as a software programs.

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4. System Description: (Explain in detail the idea of the project, its different parts, and the function of
each part, supported by the illustrations of the system model)

With the use of modulated laser or LED light, Free Space Optical technology allows data to be
transmitted over free space's atmosphere without the need for actual fiber-optic cables.
Microwave systems are essential to many different technologies and applications that need
high-frequency sensing and transmission. The goal of this project is to create a gigabit-speed
data link between two buildings on a university or corporation campus. The project makes use
of cutting-edge technologies for free-space laser transmission. The two structures are around
400 to 500 meters apart. In typical operation, the free-space optical link employs a 1550 nm
wavelength, but it also has a wireless connection operating at 2.4 GHz as a backup. Initially,
line-of-sight alignment will be accomplished with telescopes, but an automatic tracking
alignment system will be installed. Only in extremely severe fog is the wireless backup link
used. By combining FSO and microwave technologies, this project aims to provide a robust and
efficient communication system that leverages the strengths of both technologies while
mitigating their respective limitations.

5. Technical Specifications (State the most updated specifications of the proposed system should be
listed):
• Laser Operates at 1.55nm wavelength.
• Distance of the laser is 300:400 meter.
• Microwave antenna operate at 2.4 GHz.
• Microwave antenna Gain should be at least equal to10db.

6. List and describe the latest components selected for the proposed design till now:

1. 1.55nm wavelength Laser ( we still don’t read the data sheet of this component)

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[4]
2. Horn Antenna

Horn antenna is a microwave antenna that consists of a waveguide whose end is flared out in
the form of a horn. The flaring increases the antenna’s directivity and gain, making it an
effective radiating element. Horn antennas are particularly useful in the frequency range of 1
GHz to 100 GHz, offering a high degree of directivity and low standing wave ratio (SWR).
They are employed in a wide range of applications, including satellite communications, radio
astronomy, radar systems, and microwave link systems.
1.1 Pyramidal Horn Antenna:
This type of horn antenna features a rectangular waveguide that flares out into a pyramidal
shape. Pyramidal horn antennas provide high directivity and gain, making them suitable for
various applications, including radar and communication systems.We will use 2.4Ghz Horn
antenna as shown in Fig [2].

➢ Working Principle of Horn Antennas

The primary function of a horn antenna is to convert the guided electromagnetic waves in the
waveguide into free-space electromagnetic waves, and vice versa. The horn’s shape serves to
direct and focus the radiated energy into a specific direction, increasing the antenna’s
directivity and gain.
When a microwave signal is applied to the horn antenna’s input, the waveguide’s
electromagnetic fields propagate towards the horn’s flared end. As the waveguide widens, the
fields become less confined, and the waves begin to radiate into free space. The horn’s shape
and dimensions play a critical role in determining the radiation pattern, gain, and directivity of
the antenna.
Conversely, when a horn antenna receives incoming electromagnetic waves, the waves
propagate through the horn and are concentrated into the waveguide, where they are guided
towards the receiving equipment.

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➢ Design Considerations for Horn Antennas

Several factors influence the design and performance of a horn antenna, including the horn’s
shape, dimensions, and the operating frequency. Some key design considerations are
• Flare angle: The flare angle refers to the angle at which the horn’s walls expand. A
larger flare angle results in a broader radiation pattern and lower directivity, whereas a
smaller flare angle leads to a narrower radiation pattern and higher directivity.
• Aperture size: The aperture size, or the horn’s opening, impacts the antenna’s gain and
beamwidth. A larger aperture size increases the gain and narrows the beamwidth, while
a smaller aperture size reduces the gain and broadens the beamwidth
• Length: The length of the horn antenna affects its impedance matching and radiation
efficiency. A longer horn provides better impedance matching and higher radiation
efficiency, but it also increases the antenna’s size and weight
• Operating frequency: The operating frequency determines the dimensions of the horn
and the waveguide. Higher operating frequencies require smaller waveguide and horn
dimensions, whereas lower frequencies necessitate larger dimensions.

Fig 2: 2.4 GHz Horn Antenna using CST.

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7. Latest Flow charts required for the software oriented projects should be illustrated (If any):
No Flow charts

8. Tasks accomplished and executed (Should include a clear definition of student’s individual or common
tasks that are executed during the month and the exact execution time of each task):
Ta Task Task Exact
sk Holder Executi
No on
. Time
1 Doha, Comparing between FSO, mm wave, Micro wave, VLC, LIFI: One
Esraa, week
Lifi(VLC) Microwave mmW Fso
Nada,
Moha 1 Gbps -
430 THz - 300 MHz - 30 – 300
mmed BW Tbps
790 THz 30 GH GHz

780nm to
30,000 1,000
380 – 750 1800nm
100,000 10,000
WL(nm) Visible Infrared or
Millimeter
Light Visible
Microwave Range

1,000 - 100m to 5km

10 – 1000
1 – 20 50,000 Short to
D(m) Short to
Short Short to Medium
Medium
Long

1_High- 1_Long- High

speed Data distance 1_Low bandwidth
Transmissi communica latency. Immunityto
Pros
on. tion. 2_High- electromagne
2_Energy- 2_Penetrate capacity. tic
efficient. s obstacles. interferene

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 PROGRESS REPORT No. 1
Low latency
License-free
operation

Requires
-Limited
unobstructe 1_Limited
range
d LOS. range.
Cons High 2_Suscepti
Interferenc
frequency ble to rain
e from
license attenuation.
other light
required.

Indoor Long-
-High-
lighting distance
speed
Apps and data point-to-
wireless
communica point
backhaul
tion backhaul
2 Doha Design FSO design using Opti System as shown in Fig[3]: 2
weeks

Fig [3] Block diagram of FSO system

3 Doha Determining the impairments that may effect our sytsem's performance in One
free space.[1] week

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There are several factors in outdoor wirless communications such as
atmospheric loss, pointing loss, and sunlight that degrade system performance.

➢ Atmospheric Loss:

Atmospheric loss can be due to scintillation loss, absorption, and scattering.

These types of
losses are inevitable.
➢ Scintillation Loss:

Any small turbulence in the atmosphere forms an inhomogeneous gas in regards

to the refracting index.

➢ Absorption Loss:

The transmitted light photons in FSO systems may collide with molecules that
are present in an atmosphere and be absorbed by them. The only solution to
mitigate absorption loss is to find a window (range of wavelength with minimal
loss for wavelength used). Figure 4 shows the atmospheric transmission of
different wavelengths.

Fig 4: Transmission of Atmosphere in different wavelenghth [2]

➢ Pointing loss:

Any small amount of misalignment or partial alignment of the transmitter and

receiver causes signal loss. Pointing loss is negligible for short-range stationary
FSO systems (less than 1 Km),
but it is a significant factor in long distance links. In long link ranges, even a
small movement of a building can affect the system performance. For links

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between mobile systems, the pointing and alignment is even more important.
This issue is overcome by using a tracking system to align and maintain
alignment between transmitter and receiver at all times.

➢ Sunlight Loss

In outdoor communication systems the receiver collects not just the transmitted
light but also the background light such as sunlight. The sun is a black body just
as an incandescent lamp and it emits incoherent light. Figure 5 displays its
spectrum below.

Fig 5: Intensity of solar radiation [2]

4 Doha Designing 2.4Ghz Horn Pyramidal Antenna using CST: [3] 3

Weeks

Fig 6: Pyramidal Horn Antenna[3]

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Fig 7 :Parameters of horn antenna

Fig 8: Retun Loss at two different apreture

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Fig 9: Gain over Frequency

Fig 10: Directivity at (phi=90)

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9. Future Time plan of work (Should include a clear definition of the remaining individual or common
tasks should be accomplished by the student in the remaining time of the year. An approximate execution time
of each task should be listed):

Task Task Holder Task Description Expected Time to be executed

No.
1 Doha Optimization 2 weeks
(MATLAB & CST)
2 All the team Reading Data sheet 2 weeks
of the 1.55nm Laser
3 All The Team Try our System 2 months
between two
buildings
4 All The Team Graduation Book 1 month

10. Bibliography (List some of the most updated references read and used in the work):
[1] https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/pv63g335k.
[2] Olivier Bouchet, Herve Sizun, Christian Biosrobret, Frederique de Fornel &
Pierre.(2006). Free Space Opticts : Propagation and Communication. Britain.
[3]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342344994_Design_A_Waveguide_Fed_Pyrami
dal_HornAntenna_Using_CST_Studio_Suite.
[4] https://www.electricity-magnetism.org/horn-antenna/.
(Important: Each student should list his/her references with relevance to the tasks listed above)

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Remarks by Supervisor:

Components of Evaluation
A B C Total
Student Name (10) (10) (20) (40)
- - - - -

Very Important:

Full mark in each of the evaluation item is given to exceptional individuals showing ability of providing
initiative and innovative solutions

A: Knowledge of basic concepts and the ability to apply acquired knowledge while selecting the
components or creating the flow charts required for the proposed system.

B: Evaluation of the student’s effort in the individual or common tasks, he/she has
already executed, taking into consideration the student’s participation of the weekly
meeting with the supervisor.

C: Evaluation of the report (How far the student succeeds to describe and explain,
obviously, each item required from him/her in this report).

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This form should be filled by the students in the same group. It is approved and sent, by the supervisor, to
the grad committee chair via email.

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