Experimental Analysis and Implementation of Low-Cost Practical Laser-Based Communication System

This paper presents a cost-effective and practical laser-based communication system specifically designed for educational and prototyping purposes.Utilizing commonly available components such as a laser diode, photodiode sensor, and an ESP32 microcontroller with Python-based software, the system offers a simple yet effective platform for wireless data transmission.Comprehensive experimental analyses evaluated the impacts of baud rate variation, optical beam focusing, and simulated environmental interference on transmission performance.Results revealed that increased baud rates significantly reduce effective communication distance due to heightened signal degradation sensitivity.Optical beam focusing through notably mitigated beam diffusion, extending transmission ranges by up to 54%.Environmental interference demonstrated a pronounced negative impact on communication reliability.Additionally, the implementation of a half-duplex mode for file transmission confirmed consistent performance irrespective of file size or type.This practical testbed, distinguished by its accessibility, simplicity, and affordability, provides substantial educational value and offers a viable alternative to more complex systems such as the RONJA project by Twibright.