A major revolution in communication services has been made possible by optical fiber technology, which completely transformed the way huge amounts of data are effectively carried across very long distances [1]. It serves as the backbone of modern telecommunications, allowing for the smooth transfer of data through large fiber networks that span across wide geographic areas [2]. Optical amplifiers play an essential role in this environment of optical transmissions by assuring continuous propagation of signals, which ensures reliable and effective communication [3]. However, optical fiber communication has some challenges related to point-to-point communication, cable faults, and physical connectivity costs [4]. The adoption of free space optical communication (FSO) systems offer an appealing solution that overcomes these constraints and provides a number of benefits, including enhanced flexibility, reduced vulnerability, and lower infrastructure costs [5].
FSO is a state-of-the-art wireless optical communication system that uses light to transmit data through spaces, such as vacuum and air. FSO offers various advantages, including high bandwidth capacity, secure transmission, and immunity to electromagnetic interference [6]. The capacity of FSO communication to transfer massive amounts of data over great distances without the requirement for licensing is one of its key advantages. This makes it an effective alternative in situations where traditional wired or radio frequency-based wireless communication may not be feasible or beneficial [7]. FSO allows the transmission of data at significantly high speeds, reaching up to gigabits per second. Furthermore, remarkable developments in research have realized terabit per second speeds in certain environments [8]. FSO links have a wide range of applications, including connecting aircraft, enabling satellite-to-satellite communication, establishing terrestrial connections, and serving the rigorous requirements of the military [9].
FSO offers notable advantages in terms of maintenance and enhancement, when compared with other communication technologies. FSO systems often employ compact and easy-to-install devices, requiring minimal infrastructure [10]. However, a direct line of sight between the transmitting and receiving equipment is one of the essential conditions for FSO to operate efficiently. This means that any obstacles, including buildings or trees, may interfere with the signal’s ability to travel [11]. Nevertheless, it is crucial to take into account how atmospheric conditions affect FSO systems. Conditions like fog, rain, or snow can degrade or disperse the optical signals, affecting the range and dependability of FSO links. These factors can considerably reduce the effectiveness of FSO systems during adverse weather conditions [12].
FSO technology has seen an enormous rise in interest from researchers as a result of the rapid expansion of wireless networks. Numerous research articles that highlight different FSO systems features and uses have been published in the literature [9]. Hayal et al. [12] proposed a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) based FSO system operating in the presence of atmospheric turbulence. They proposed a hybrid modulation technique to address issues related to signal degradation and increased bit error rate (BER). The key performance metrics such as BER, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and system capacity are evaluated and the comparison is performed with conventional modulation techniques. Ambreen et al. [13] focused on the performance analysis of a FSO system working under chaotic conditions. The BER and channel capacity of the system are examined under different atmospheric conditions, including clear weather, fog, rain, and turbulence. They used chaotic modulation techniques while assessing the system’s performance. Florence et al. [14] addressed the issue of signal degradation in FSO systems caused by rain attenuation, which can severely affect the transmission performance. They proposed a spectrum slicing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) approach as a potential solution to lessen the negative effects of persistent rain on FSO communication. Fadil et al. [15] demonstrated a WDM-FSO system that utilizes optical chaotic signals for enhanced security. The system's performance is assessed while taking into account a number of factors, including BER, transmission distance, and SNR. Their findings showed that the chaotic-based FSO system offers better security than conventional systems. Mehtab et al. [16] examined the performance of a hybrid transmission system that combines WDM, polarization-division multiplexing (PDM), and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques for FSO link. They realized a 1.6 Tbps transmission link and estimated its performance in terms of various parameters under different weather conditions. Their findings indicated that the hybrid WDM-PDM-OFDM-based FSO link realized high data rates with good signal quality and low BER.
Hybrid optical amplifier combines two or more different amplification technologies to obtain enhanced performance and flexibility [17]. Modern optical communication systems are finding hybrid optical amplifiers as a valuable asset. They can provide improved signal quality, wideband amplification, dynamic gain control, and network design flexibility by combining the advantages of various amplifier technologies [18]. Hybrid amplifiers have a substantial impact on the ability to transmit data efficiently and reliably over long distances due to their power efficiency and flexibility with different network topologies. As optical networks continue to evolve, the significance of hybrid optical amplifiers is set to grow, enabling the development of advanced communication infrastructures [19]. In this paper, a hybrid optical amplifier based 480-Gbps DWDM-FSO system is proposed and the performance is analyzed under different atmospheric conditions. The paper is organized in four sections. After introduction, the proposed system is described in Section 2, preceded by the results in Section 3. The research concludes with Section 4.