Free Space Optics (FSO) or optical wireless systems provide high data rate solution for bandwidth hungry communication applications. Carrier class availability is a necessity for wide scale acceptability which is extremely difficult to achieve in the case of optical wireless links. FSO links are highly weather-dependent and different weather effects reduce the link availability. Employing a hybrid network consisting of an FSO link and a back up link in the GHz frequency range renders high availability besides providing comparable data rates. In this paper effects of fog, rain and snow on FSO/GHz hybrid network are studied so that GHz frequencies with best complementary behaviour can be selected as a back up link. As a prime conclusion of the article, it is suggested that free space optical links can be supplemented with 40 GHz RF links to achieve near carrier class availability.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; layout-grid-mode: char;"><span style="layout-grid-mode: line; font-family: ";Arial";,";sans-serif";; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Free Space Optics (FSO) is now a well established access technology, better known for its robustness in transmitting large data volumes in an energy efficient manner. However the BER performance of a FSO ground-link is adversely affected by cloud coverage, harsh weather conditions, and atmospheric turbulence. Fog, clouds and dry snow play a detrimental role by attenuating optical energy transmitted in terrestrial free-space and thus decrease the link availability and reliability. We measured the time variation of received optical signal level during continental fog and dry snowfall over a link distance of 80 m. We perform a detailed analysis of the continental fog and dry snow attenuation results and further characterise them by presenting some useful attenuation statistics and also showing their comparison with the corresponding measured density values collected by a particle sensor device. We propose also an empirical relationship between temperature, relative humidity and optical attenuation values for the continental fog case based on standard curve fitting technique. <em></em></span></span></p>

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Free Space Optics (FSO) has gained considerable importance in this decade of demand for high bandwidth transmission capabilities. FSO can provide the last mile solution, but the availability and reliability issues concerned with it have acquired more attention, and a need for thorough investigations. In this work, we present our results about fog attenuation at the 950 and 850 nm wavelengths in heavy maritime fog with peak values up to 500 dB/km. For the attenuation measurement, optical wavelengths are transmitted over the same path of fog in free air to a receiver, measuring the power of every wavelength. The RF marker technology employed takes advantage of modulating every optical wavelength with an individual carrier frequency, allowing to use one optical front end for the receiver and to separate individual wavelengths by electrical signal filters. The measurement of fog attenuation at different wavelengths was performed at the France Telecom R & D test facility at La Turbie. Maritime or advection fog, which caused the light attenuation consists of water droplets of larger diameter in the order of 20 µm and can cause visibilities as low as 30 meters. The visibility was measured using a transmissiometer at 550 nm. We compare our measurement data with the commonly used light attenuation models of Kruse and Kim, and present some interesting insights. The practical measurements described try to validate the models and therefore should lead to a more accurate availability prediction for FSO links.

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In this research paper, we present—as a geographically dispersed set of academics working in nine different countries: namely, Pakistan, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, China, and Malaysia—a global international perspective on Outcome-based Education (OBE) accreditation standards, practices, and attitudes. The OBE paradigm is now the underlying paradigm followed by global accreditation efforts such as the Washington Accord (ratified in 1989). The shift to OBE is so pronounced that some education experts identify the shift to OBE and accreditation as one of the top 5 major changes of the last 100 years. Although OBE is often criticized for straitjacketing education, and resisted by hesitant faculty members suspecting additional burden, studies show that the OBE movement, on the whole, has helped in improving the educational standards and outcomes by ensuring proper planning of curriculum and assessment and their alignment with the program objectives and desired outcomes. OBE is also flexible in the sense that it does not dictate the choice of specific education strategies or teaching methods—it only says what should be the outcome. New OBE schemes have also diversified in response to early misgivings about OBE (related to excessive paperwork, and bean-counting-like auditing) and now admit diverse types of evidence (including qualitative and quantitative, formative and summative, formal and informal assessments). The aim of this work is to present a synthesis of the experiences of an international set of authors and the sharing of the global best practices in the field related to accreditation and assessment. An extensive internal survey was conducted to collect data from these international academics. After processing the data, we have organized our analysis as a discussion on a range of accreditation stages and artifacts including vision/mission statements, program objectives and outcomes, curriculum planning, educational assessment strategies, common pitfalls, and iterative continuous improvement. This paper will be a helpful starting guide for faculty members new to OBE, while also offering a broader perspective to experienced faculty members and administrators.