Review of fibreless optical communication technology: history, evolution, and emerging trends

Abstract In the present era of technology, it is quite fascinating to design a system capable of transmitting information from one end to another by using the optical spectrum. This system differs from optical fibre communication in terms of channel medium. Optical fibre technology uses the end-to-end physical connection via fibre. In contrast, Light-based wireless communication networks, also known as wireless optical communication (WOC) networks or fibreless optical communication networks, use light as a carrier and air as an unguided propagation media for transmission. Fibreless optical communication eliminates the need for Licensing and Buried Fibre Cables; also, its installation is relatively easy. This survey article describes the evolution of WOC technologies right from the old methods of communication to today’s deep-space optical satellite communication. This article briefly describes the WOC system working principle, categorization of wireless optical systems (based on the carrier frequency wavelength, distance covered, and application), different modulation techniques adopted for wireless optical communication, challenges associated with channel medium and channel modelling, performance analysis of WOC system, various application areas of WOC network, commercial developments in the field of WOC, and some other emerging trends associated with WOC.