Ronja: DIY Optical Data Link
August 29th, 2008
Finally, I’ve found something that I was looking for a very, very, long time. A DIY Optical Link Kit. Ronja. And a cheap one (100 USD). I’ve seen a couple of professional gigabit links using FSO (Free Space Optics) Technology and I was getting very curious about how this stuff really works. It has a limited range compared to wifi p2p links, but you have lot’s of advantages: no interference, full duplex and it’s completely legal. About Ronja, the concept and hardware are OpenSource and the PCB design was made to allow anyone to buy normal components in any electronic shop at your hometown. It’s very popular in Eastern Europe, mainly in Czech Republic. They even have ISP’s based on this. Amazing. For more info on Ronja:
Ronja (Reasonable Optical Near Joint Access) is an User Controlled Technology (like Free Software) project of optical point-to-point data link. The device has 1.4km range and has stable 10Mbps full duplex data rate. Ronja is an optoelectronic device you can mount on your house and connect your PC, home or office network with other networks. Or you can use it as a general purpose wireless link for building any other networking project.
So, my goal now is trying to build my own Ronja Kit and deploy a FSO Link not before December. Oh boy, good times ahead. Must, resist.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Very cool. Although i would guess anything that comes across it’s line-of-sight (rain and other weather conditions, birds, etc) will cause interference.
August 30th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Yes, bad weather can cause problems. But from what I’ve saw, rain and birds is not a big problem. The biggest is fog.
August 31st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Can you share some more details? I have been studying this area as well and I would like to build my own.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Hi Richard. I really would like to help you but, just like you, I have no experience on FSO, yet. You better check the Ronja documentation at their site.