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Laser Based Communication System PDF

Laser communication systems transmit information via modulated laser beams between a transmitter and receiver. [1] The transmitter converts an electrical signal into a laser beam signal using a laser diode. [2] The receiver separates the desired signal from the laser carrier using a phototransistor that detects the laser and a gain stage to amplify the signal. [3] Adjusting the transmitter pulse frequency allows communication between the devices and changes the receiver output signal or speaker pitch.

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Pawan Kumar
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389 views3 pages

Laser Based Communication System PDF

Laser communication systems transmit information via modulated laser beams between a transmitter and receiver. [1] The transmitter converts an electrical signal into a laser beam signal using a laser diode. [2] The receiver separates the desired signal from the laser carrier using a phototransistor that detects the laser and a gain stage to amplify the signal. [3] Adjusting the transmitter pulse frequency allows communication between the devices and changes the receiver output signal or speaker pitch.

Uploaded by

Pawan Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Laser Based Communication

System
electronicsforu.com
2 mins read

C
ommunicating with laser is not new. In this laser
communication system, a laser beam is used as carrier,
which is modulated by the signal to be transmitted. On the
receiver end, the desired signal is separated from the carrier. A
wireless laser link (through a laser diode) is used to transmit
information from one end to another in its line of sight.

In this circuit, an electrical signal is transmitted from one place to


another riding over the laser beam. If you vary some parameters of
the transmitted signal (such as amplitude and frequency), the
received signal changes accordingly.

Laser communication system


The entire circuit can be divided into two parts: transmitter and
receiver.

The transmitter circuit is built around timer 555 (IC1). IC1 is wired as
an astable multivibrator generating a pulse train at its pin 3 that
serves as the modulation input for the laser diode. Set the frequency
of this pulse train to around 1 kHz using presets VR1 and VR2.

Transmitter circuit

The potential divider arrangement of resistors R2, R3 and pre­set VR3


is used to reduce the peak amplitude of the pulse train. The driver
circuit for the laser diode is built around IC LM356 (IC2), transistor
T1 and a few discrete components.

The transmitter circuit is powered by two 9V batteries that provide


+9V, ­9V and ground supplies. These voltages are provided to the
transmitter circuit through DPST switch S1.

Receiver circuit

The receiver circuit (shown above) is built around IC3, IC4 and a few
discrete components. The gain stage is built around IC LM356 (IC3)
with gain value of (R6+R7)/R6. The output of IC3 drives a speaker
through the emitter­follower arrangement configured around
transistor T3. The unity­gain buffer stage built around IC4 facilitates
viewing of the received signal on an oscilloscope if so desired.
The receiver circuit too is powered by two 9V batteries that provide
+9V, ­9V and ground supplies. These voltages are provided to the
receiver circuit through DPST switch S2.

Circuit operation

Working of the circuit is simple. Align the transmitter and the


receiver so that the laser light directly falls on the phototransistor.
The speaker connected between the emitter of T3 and ground beeps to
indicate that laser communication is taking place. You can change the
pitch of the audio beep by changing the frequency of the transmitted
signal through presets VR1 and VR2 in the transmitter.

Construction & testing


Assemble the transmitter and receiver circuits on separate general­
purpose PCBs. Now adjust presets VR1 and VR2 to get approximately
1kHz pulse signal at pin 3 of IC1. Adjust preset VR3 to ensure that the
desired current flows through the laser diode during the
transmission.

The project was first published in May 2011 and has recently been
updated.

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