FSO systems for next generation networks: a review, techniques and challenges

Abstract Free space optics (FSO) is considered among the emerging technological innovations which are currently being utilized to supersede radio frequency (RF) communication because of its benefits over it, like, low cost, high speed, optimized bandwidth, reduced error and effective communication. In this regard, a brief and comprehensive survey on the FSO system is proposed in this paper under the impact of weather conditions. Furthermore, extending the review, the working, classification and challenges faced in FSO communication systems have also been explored. As the main objective of this review is to analyze and study the performance of FSO systems under varying environmental and turbulent conditions, therefore, in general, categorized the literature survey into two sections general FSO techniques and optimization-based FSO techniques including key findings, future scope as well as comparison tables for understanding the FSO systems more efficiently.