Feb. 23, 2004 — Lightconnect Inc., a Newark, Calif., MEMS component supplier, has launched a variable optical attenuator for free-space optical (FSO) communications, according to a news release.
FSO communication is an optical data and voice transmission system using a laser to transmit digital signals through the air instead of fiber. The Fast VOA 3000, which has a response time of 30 microseconds, can overcome atmospheric turbulence, or disruptions in the beam from heat, sunlight or manmade objects.