Projects · Free-Space Optical Link
Phase 01: Minimum Viable Product
A modulated laser sending data across open space to a photodiode receiver.
Follow the build from the first tests to the finished link, see the schematic and data path, and explore the setup in 3D.
Photonics Night
The link in action
At Photonics Night we demonstrated the finished link live: images were transmitted across the setup from the laser to the receiver in real time, in front of visitors.
- Baud rate
- 19 200 baud
- Range
- ~1.5 m, limited by the weak laser
- Transmission
- Images were split into small tiles by a parser program and sent one tile at a time to visualise live transmission.
Impressions from our Protoyping Sessions
Building the MVP
Explore Our Prototype!
Digital Twin
Explore our free-space optical link in 3D. This interactive digital twin allows you to inspect electronics, track the data path, and view the assembled prototype from every angle right in your browser.
How it works
How the data is transfered
The bitstream is applied to the laser as on-off intensity pulses, crosses the open-air gap, and is turned back into a clean digital signal by the photodiode and comparator on the receiver side.
Electronics
Receiver Circuit
Reach out
Get in touch
Whether you want to join, collaborate, sponsor an event, or just say hello, we'd love to hear from you. No prior experience needed.
photum.studentclub@gmail.com