A modulating retro-reflector (MRR) system combines an optical retro-reflector and an optical modulator to allow optical communications and sometimes other functions such as programmable signage.
Free space optical communication technology has emerged in recent years as an attractive alternative to the conventional Radio Frequency (RF) systems. This emergence is due in large part to the increasing maturity of lasers and compact optical systems that enable exploitation of the inherent advantages (over RF) of the much shorter wavelengths characteristic of optical and near-infrared carriers:
- Larger bandwidth
- Low probability of intercept
- Immunity from interference or jamming
- Frequency spectrum allocation issue relief
- Smaller, lighter, lower power
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