Enhancing mobile ad hoc networks with free-space optics

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) offers a cost-effective solution for communications in areas where infrastructure is unavailable, e. g., emergency response, disaster recovery, and battlefield scenarios. Traditional MANETs operate in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, where the available bandwidth faces the challenge of rapidly increasing demands. Free-space optics (FSO) provides an attractive complement to RF wireless MANETs because of its high bandwidth and interference-free operation. We have made an effort to combine the main advantages of MANET and FSO technologies by equipping the network nodes with hybrid communications capabilities. Computer models of such a network were created using the network simulator OPNET Modeler. Various indicators of network performance, including packet loss ratio, end-to-end delay, throughput, etc., were obtained through simulation and examined. The analysis will be of significant assistance in the design and implementation of such next-generation MANETs. c 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.