I worked on this recently, free space optical system... http://www.doncio.navy.mil/chips/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=5550 http://www.doncio.navy.mil/chips/ArticleDet

I worked on this recently, free space optical system... http://www.doncio.navy.mil/chips/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=5550 http://www.doncio.navy.mil/chips/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=5550 The parts are extremely expensive if you want a high data rate. The acquisition logic for creating a link is very difficult as one has to aim their beam just perfectly. I'd say it's not ready for prime time.