I want to build a Laserlink device. Laserlink would be a compact and low-cost laser communication device for consumers and industry. The idea is to be the best communication solution outside the range of wifi but still within visual range. Radio solutions have many compromises and existing laser communication systems, while impressive, are cost-prohibitive and over-engineered. My device will trade cost and complexity for lower bandwidth (though still plenty for high-speed internet) and shorter range but in a much smaller and cheaper design. The biggest challenge with such a device is getting the laser to track and hit the receiver, which is where I'm focusing my engineering efforts. I'm qualified to solve this particular problem due to my experience with microrobotics, sensor design, and cleanroom fabrication. I'm currently working on creating a technology demonstrator using off-the-shelf components to test different designs and also to attract investors but the final design will benefit greatly from my background in making things small with cost-effective mechanisms. Other challenges include line-of-site limitations, weather interference, and the fact that only one connection is possible per device. I believe those limitations are insignificant compared to the benefits of using lasers and can be mitigated.
Those minor challenges aside, laser communication devices truly are the theoretical best solution for many applications beyond the range of wifi. For example, farmers could take advantage of these systems to connect their farms with high-bandwidth internet, enabling modern farming techniques and taking full advantage of the latest farming robots. At the same time, my devices could be used to network with nearby farms, thus allowing for affordable connectivity and internet services in rural areas. The agricultural focus of the midwest is an advantage in this way, since there are plenty of agricultural resources and grants available for rural connectivity initiatives. This is just one application of the devices, though. Once built out, my laser communication devices are suited to a wide range of applications. Another example would be airports, where radio transmissions are extremely restricted due to FCC regulations. New sensor, robots, vehicles, and even planes at airports could use Laserlink to seamlessly communicate at very high speeds without worrying about the interference inherent to traditional radio communications.
Other applications include festivals, constructions sites, and many more. Such a device would offer eye-safe, easily-deployable, low-latency, high-bandwidth, unregulated, efficient, small, cheap, interference-free connectivity. At minimum, the device would consist of a laser, receiver, camera, and a movement mechanism, thus allowing two devices to remain locked in alignment even if they’re both moving. The devices will maintain laser alignment over a distance of 100 meters or more, which is well beyond the practical range of wifi. The long-term goal is for this technology to become ubiquitous, with mesh networking and distributed infrastructure enabling communication that’s independent of legacy telecom providers. I believe that this technology will make high-speed connectivity an inalienable right of the people rather than a privilege controlled by the giant telecommunications companies who own the infrastructure.
Leader Zhong Yang: yzhnasa@gmail.com Connect on LinkedIn
Co-Founder Paul Gemperlein: paulgemp@gmail.com Connect on LinkedIn
Project Owner
Zhong Yang