In 2017 the value of the global market for free space optical communication technology was
$229.2 million and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 34% during the
years 2018-2023. North America and Asia-Pacific are ranked successively the two major global
markets. The high demand for fast flexible wireless technology among all industries including
reconnaissance last and first mile connectivity backhaul and internet of things are major
drivers for the expected growth of free space optics. Moreover security and high-speed
wireless communication as well as the emerging need for higher flexibility modules are also
key factors that enhance the growth of the global free space optics market. All of these
factors are the major forces behind this book's investigation of the performance of FSO under
severe conditions and environmental impairment and how FSO systems can be integrated to
enhance the next 5G networks revolution. This book provides an in-depth insight of free space
optics already applied in military data security as well as in daily data exchange. This system
offers several more advantages compared to other technologies such as low cost mobility
equipment's or security. Moreover this technology has the potential of becoming an integral
and indispensable part of data-processing architectures and telecommunications in the very near
future. The book also provides a review of the history of wireless optical telecommunications
together with a synopsis of the application of the principles of electromagnetism in free-space
optics. FSO Features and applications are also presented together with an overview of the
potential challenges. The environmental impairment itself which is the key challenge is put
under deep scrutiny. Special attention too is given to the possible mitigation solutions to
overcome possible impairments.
