European Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-216X Vol.67 No.2 (2012), pp. 294-300 EuroJournals Publishing, Inc.

. 2012 http://www.europeanjournalofscientificresearch.com

Laser Based Optical Transceiver for Data Transfer of Free Space Optical Communication
A. Jabeena Faculty, School of Electronics Engineering, VIT University, Vellore E-mail: ajabeena@vit.ac.in Sairam Reddy R. B.Tech Student, School of Electronics Engineering, VIT University, Vellore E-mail: Sairamreddy257@gmail.com B. S. Praneeth B.Tech Student, School of Electronics Engineering, VIT University, Vellore E-mail: Praneeth2pranith@yahoo.co.in P. Arulmozhivarman Faculty, School of Electronics Engineering, VIT University, Vellore E-mail: Parulmozhivarman@vit.ac.in Abstract The setup is based on the concept of free space optical communication. In this process, communication between PC to PC using LASER light is established. The project uses IC MAX 232, which needs only a single power supply of 5V (for TTL to RS-232 and vice-versa level conversion). The communication over the short distance of 2-3 m is possible using IR diodes. The range could be increased up to hundred meters, using the laser diode module in place of IR LEDs . The laser module used is easily available as laser pointer (having about 3 mW power output). The laser beam of one module is pointed on to the photodiode of another module connected to other PC and vice-versa. By loading serial communication software and setting the port parameters to 9600 n 8 1 (here, 9600 represents baud rate, n stands for parity none, 8 represents bits per character and 1 indicates no. of stop bits)communication is established. The software program for the purpose is written in C language. Using this codes chatting and data transfer between two nodes is possible on condition that Line of Sight must exist between two nodes. Keywords: Line of sight, IR diodes [Infra red],photo diode, baud rate, FSO [Free Space Optics],Transceiver, full duplex.

1. Introduction
Free Space Optics (FSO) is a telecommunication technology that uses light propagating in free space to transmit data between two points. Free space optical communications is a line-of-sight (LOS) technology that transmits a modulated beam of visible or infrared light through the atmosphere for broadband communications. Free space optics uses a light emitting diode (LED) or laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) point source for data transmission. However, in free

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space optics, an energy beam is collimated and transmitted through space rather than being guided through an optical cable[2]. Free Space Optics is used to communicate between space-craft, since outside of the atmosphere there is little to distort the signal[3]. The optical links usually use infrared laser light, although low-data-rate communication over short distances is possible using LEDs. Distances up to the order of 10 km are possible, but the distance and data rate of connection is highly dependent on atmospheric conditions[1].

2. Basics of FSO
Fig. 1 illustrates a typical point-to-point free-space optical communication system linking between two buildings. The receiving power PrX can be related to transmitting power Pt where Ar, is an optical receiver's area, r link range (in km), is a beam divergence (in radians) and is an atmospheric attenuation (dB/km). The receiving power is proportional to transmitting power and receiving area and atmospheric condition strongly affect link integrity as indicated by factor a. Parameters PtX, Ar, and can be controlled by designers to enhance link range[7]. ArX * e( *r ) (1) PrX PtX * 2 AtX tan * r
Figure 1: FSO Link

An each FSO transceiver consists of a receiver, a transmitter and an interfacing circuitry with collimating lens. When in operation, data signal from RS-232 enters the interfacing circuit which is consisting of MAX232A [11], which transforms such signal into an appropriate form for the transmitter. The transmitter converts electrical signal into light and emit light containing data signal into free space. The incoming light falls onto the receiver having a photodiode and is converted back to electrical domain before it is being sent to interfacing circuit and eventually the RS-232 of the remote terminal. Light collimation is achieved by lens and it thus provides a reasonable link range [4].

3. Optical Transceiver
The transceiver [Fig3] is based on the MAX232A IC for generating and receiving RS-232 compatible voltage signals. The receiving sensor is an NPN infrared photo-transistor (OP505A) [6]. An infrared photo-transistor is chosen to minimize ambient light interference. Although the laser wavelength is in the visible spectrum (~670nm) the photo-transistors broad response band (550nm to 1050nm) is wide enough to sense the intense laser beam. The signal from the photo-transistor is buffered via a pair of Schmitt trigger buffers to clean up and square the signal. The output of the second buffer is then directly converted to a RS-232 standard signal via the MAX232A. The MAX232A generates +10V and -10V voltage swings using a dual charge-pump voltage converter from a single +5VDC rail. Several different versions of the MAX232 chip exist. The A version requires only 0.1 uF capacitors for the charge-pump and inverter, whereas the MAX232 requires 1uF capacitors. The advantage of the A version is that it has faster response times, and allows for faster data rates.

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The laser diode driver consists of a 7405 open-collector hex inverter IC. All the outputs of the inverters are coupled together to provide enough drive current for the laser diode which draws around 35mA @ 3V. A 7805 voltage regulator is used to provide the IC and laser diode with a stable 5V voltage source. The two 1N4001 diodes, in series with the laser diode, step down the voltage from +5VDC to around 3.6VDC which is close to the nominal voltage for the laser diode. The transceiver is designed in such a way that when no signal is present the laser is on[5]. This helps to see where the laser is pointing during the laser-detector alignment. The transceiver is powered by a 9V battery and draws approximately 80mA (laser on) and 40mA (laser off).

4. The Transmitter
The transmitter differs from the transceiver in the fact that it can only transmit data. The transmitter consists of an opto-isolator and an open-collector hex inverter and a handful of other components [8][10]. The transmitter is also powered by a 9V battery and draws approximately 70mA (laser on) and 30mA(laser off). The circuit uses an opto-isolator (4N33) to couple a standard RS-232 signal from a computer to the driver section of the circuit. The resistor/diode configuration at the input to the optoisolator converts the +12/-12 voltage swings of a RS-232 signal into a signal suitable for the LED in the opto-isolator. A second input on the board is also provided for external TTL compatible signals. This can be wired to the parallel port of the computer or other microcontrollers. Never use the TTL input signal at the same time as the RS- 232 input signal as these are shorted together only via a resistor. The IR signals are detected by a photodiode (D1). The detected TTL level (0/5 V) signals are coupled to pin 10 of MAX232 IC. These TTL levels are converted to +/- 9V levels internally and output at Pin 7. A visible LED1 at Pin 7 of MAX232 IC indicates that the signals are being received. Pin 7 is also connected to Pin 2 of 9 pin D connector used for serial port in the PC, so that the data may be read[10]. The optical signals received by the photodiodes are converted to electrical pulses and both PC think that there is a null modem cable connected between them. In some PCs, the serial port is terminated into 9 Pin D connector and in some others into a 25 pin D connector. Now the serial connector is prepared by using a standard(female)DB-9 or DB-25 connector depending on the needs as shown in the Fig2. The connections for the DB-9 connector are described as this is found on most IBM-PCs. (See Fig. 8 for the connections to both a DB- 9 and DB-25 connector) The IBM PC serial port contains several data and handshake lines. We will only be using the Transmit Data (TD), Receive Data (RD) and common ground (GND) lines. Handshaking will be done in software. In order to make the serial port happy it is needed to connect the Data Terminal Ready (DTR) line to the Data Set Ready (DSR) and Data Carrier Detect (DCD) lines. It is also needed to connect the Request To Send (RTS) line to the Clear To Send (CTS) line. This has the effect of tricking the serial port into thinking that it is always ready to receive and send data. These links should be soldered inside the connector itself. Only 3 wires are required for the connection to the transceiver. The three wires are connected to the RD (pin 2), TD (pin 3) and GND (pin5) lines of the connector. For the transmitter, only the TD (pin 3) and GND (pin 5) lines are wired. Again it is ensured that the wires are correctly wired to the PCB.
Figure 2: DB9 serial connector

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As this DB-9 pin is connected to MAX-232A IC the signals from PC which are in RS-232 standards is converted into TTL logic by the MAX232A chip. This converted electrical signal is fed into the LASER through the HEX-SCHMITTS trigger and then through the inverters with equation where in the electrical signal is converted into light signal and then focused to the photodiode of other transceiver which is connected to the PC. This Optical signal is received by photodiode which in turn converts optical into the electrical signals. This signals are passed through a pair of buffers and then to MAX232A chip which converts the TTL logic into RS232 logic and then the data is received by DB9 pin of PC.[3]
Figure 3: Transceiver circuit

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5.1. Testing the Circuit using Hyper Terminal

The first thing to do is to plug the unit into a computer and try to open the port. Windows' HyperTerminal is used to open COM1 at N-8-1 9600bps where, N means no parity,8 means the number of bits a word should contain,1 defines stop word,9600 represents the data rate of the data, with no flow control (for starters.) If one has trouble connecting, it is made sure the DTR/DSR/CD and RTS/CTS are tied together as shown on the schematic. At this point one should be able to hook a scope up to TxD and ground and watched the signal as data is typed on the keyboard. The computer gives about +6 to -6 volts on the scope. Now it is made sure that the transistor is working right and the laser is getting it's proper +4.5 volts or so. The laser never sees any reverse voltage [7]. As data is typed on the keyboard, the laser should get little spurts of power and blink on and off. The laser should be nice and bright; a dim laser may mean low voltage. Make sure the laser is pointing right at the phototransistor and that the phototransistor is shielded from other light. For testing, the laser should be within inches of the phototransistor[11]. When the light is off, the RxD line should be at -3 volts or lower, and when it's on it should be at +3 volts or higher. Now it might be need to adjust the pot (or replace the resistor) that is listed as 4.5K on the schematic[12]. It might also be needed to throw in an extra resistor between the phototransistor and the power that comes from the serial port; It is done only if the port puts out a lot of voltage. Somewhere from 1-10 K might do the job. As all is functioning as it should, a scope connected from RxD to ground should show a signal similar to the one on TxD, when keys are pressed. If it does and everything is shipshape, text that is sent will be echoed back. When a data file is to be transferred between the two PCs, each transceiver is connected to the PCs using RS 232 cable to the DB9 female port. It is made sure that the batteries are correctly connected to each transceiver. Now the LASER that is switched on is correctly pointed to the photo detector of other transceiver and vice versa. Now the Hyper Terminal port is opened in each PC and port must be opened at N-8-1-9600bps. Now the data file from one PC to other is sent by Hyper Terminal thus making the data file transfer a FULL DUPLEX process using the LASER Transceivers.
5.2. Testing the Circuit using C++ Codes

A PC will be needed to test the circuit. The program listing at the end of this article gives an example of a test communications program. A C compiler is needed to compile it. The code was compiled using Borland C++ 3.1. To test the circuit, the DB-9 connector is plugged into the mouse port on the PC. Power is turned on to the circuit and the laser should be switched on. Now in the PC it is made sure that a mouse driver is not loaded. A TSR(Terminate and Stay Resident) mouse driver will interfere with the operation of the circuit. Also it is made sure that no other TSRs are attempting to use the serial port. Now the pointer is pointed directly at the photo-transistor. Next the test program is run from a DOS prompt by typing LASER 1 and pressing the key. Where 1 represents the COM port number the circuit is connected to. Anything that is typed on the keyboard should appear at the top of the screen as well as the bottom. The top part of the screen displays the data sent out over the laser pointer while the bottom part shows the received data. The ESC key is used anytime to end the program. The communication between two computers is tested simply by repeating the steps above for each computer except that the lasers are pointed towards the other transceiver. Over longer distances It is found that it is much easier to fix the laser and move the receiver in order to align them properly. For this reason the laser should not be attached to the zippy box housing the photo-transistor. Also depending on the laser pointer, beam intensity and beam spread will vary which will affect the distance over which reliable communication can be achieved. Most laser pointers are achieved a minimum of 100 meters.

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Figure 4: Transceiver prototype

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The transceiver prototype photo is presented in Fig.4. The system test set-up (as illustrated in Fig.8) connects two personal computer situated 200-metre apart linking between two buildings and the results have confirmed its successful operation (ping (Fig.9), file transfer, on-line games, remote access). Note that the transmitters and receivers were housed inside optical loupes, while the interface circuit (powered by 12V supply unit) was situated near the computer.

6. Conclusion
With the successful construction of the two transceivers the communication between the two PCs is made possible. Data transmission is made possible between the PCs with an achieved data rate of upto 9600 kilobits per second. Either the Windows Hyper Terminal or Borland C++ program is used for interfacing and data transferring. XMODEM protocol is used in Windows Hyper Terminal for data transmission. C++ codes are written successfully to make the data transmission possible. It should be noted that construction of two transceivers means two way transmission of data is possible, thus making the process full duplex at lower costs. The laser used in transceivers is a simple 3mw pen torch laser. The data transmission is successfully attained for over 100m.Since the process being full duplex it can be used for two way data transmission at free of cost (no need of any phone or internet connection between two terminals).Parity can be used here for error checking the received data. Due to the presence of Schmitts trigger the data is buffered to the PCs through the interfacing chip MAX 232.

References
[1] [2] [3] [4] Phanumas Khumsat and Noppadol Wattanapisit Optical Front-Ends for Low-Cost LaserBased 10-Mbps Free-Space Optical Transceiver, IEEE Communication magazine March 2003 H. A. Willebrand et al, "Fiber Optics Without Fiber," IEEE Spectrum, August 2001, pp. 40-45. Brian S. Leibowitz, Member, IEEE, Bernhard E. Boser, Fellow, IEEE, and Kristofer S. J. Pister, A 256-Element CMOS Imaging Receiver for Free-Space Optical Communication IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, VOL. 40, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2005 S. Bloom, "The Physics of Free-Space Optics," Air Fiber white paper, available online at http://www.airfiber.com

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A. Jabeena, Sairam Reddy R, B. S. Praneeth and P. Arulmozhivarman C. C. Davis et al, "Flexible Optical Wireless Links and Networks," IEEE Communications Magazine, March 2003. A. Acampora, "Last Mile by Laser," Scientific American, July 2002. Light pointe, "Optical Wireless Solutions Based on Free-Space Optics (FSO) Technology," Light pointe white paper, available online at http:www.lightpointe.com C. C. Davis et al, "Flexible Optical Wireless Links and Networks," IEEE Communications Magazine, March 2003. A. Acampora, "Last Mile by Laser," Scientific American, July 2002. B. Razavi, Design of Integrated Circuits for Optical Communications, section 4.5, McGraw Hill, 2003. MAX232A Datasheet available on www.maxim-ic.com. OP505 Datasheet available on www.optek.com