This research is aimed at developing theoretical and experimental understanding of the application of atmospheric optical communication links in local area networks. In theoretical work to date, the use of a variable transmission-rate atmospheric optical link to provide graceful network performance degradation in the face of weather-induced optical link performance degradation has been analyzed. In experimental work to date, development of an atmospheric optical link/local area network test bed has been undertaken. This research will continue the dual thrust of theoretical and experimental studies of atmospheric optical communications in local area networks. The theoretical work will treat: transport-layer job management procedures; topologies and control procedures for combined atmospheric-optic/fiber-optic very high data rate networks; and optical broadcast networks. The experimental work will concentrate on ring network operation, featuring gateway interconnection of an atmospheric optical 2-node network into a working ring network environment. Experimental work will also begin on bus network applications.
