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Build Your Own 10Mbit/sec Optical Data Link

Posted by timothy on from the neighbornet dept.

redcliffe writes: "This website has complete plans to build a 10 megabit per second optical data link that can work over up to 1 kilometre. It uses fairly cheap components, such as standard LED's instead of laser diodes. This also makes it a lot safer to work with, i.e. you won't burn your eyes out if you accidently look into it."

2 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Why not 802.11b? by msolnik · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The equiptment is cheaper easier to make/get and can get further range. I can get upto 15 miles in Houston with 2 15db direction antennas that you can get for 40$ a peice.

    1. Re:Why not 802.11b? by laserjet · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You have a good point, and 802.11b probably would make sense in most conditions. The only benefits that this would offer you are 1) if you work in an area that has too much RF interference for 802.11b to work correctly, and 2) this would be more secure that 802.11b. For instance if you want to run a connection to your neighbor across the street, to intercept your connection, someone would have to get exactly in line with the transceiver, whereas 802.11b is broadcast all over the place.

      Aside from that, it just looks like they built it because they could, and that, is reason enough.

      --
      Moon Macrosystems. Sun's biggest competitor.