Technology
tested |
Free space optics (FSO) in disaster
conditions (i.e., fire and smoke) |
Partnering
agency |
National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Building and Fire Research Lab |
Objectives
|
- Determine whether FSO technology can continue to operate in
an environment with heavy smoke and fire
- Assess how fire and smoke affects link performance
- Evaluate the maximum deployable distances for each system in
fire and smoke
|
Test Method
Overview |
The NCS assessed four manufacturer units in four different scenarios:
- The first scenario utilized the lightest level of smoke and
allowed 10% of visible light to pass through.
- In the second scenario, 1% of visible light could pass through
the smoke.
- In the third scenario, 1 x 10 -6 % of visible light could pass
through the smoke.
- In the fourth scenario, the FSO links were setup to pass directly through
the flames of a fire.
|
Results Overview
|
Overall, the first scenario was the
only one in which all units were able to perform. In subsequent
scenarios, the smoke was too thick for the links to penetrate effectively.
Likewise, the links were not able to pass traffic through the flames in
the final scenario. |