lineofsightverbinding

Lineofsightverbinding is a communication link that relies on a direct, unobstructed path between transmitter and receiver. It is common in wireless backhaul, satellite downlinks, and free-space optical communication, where signals travel through air without reflections from nearby structures.

In practice, line-of-sight links require a clear line between endpoints and often use highly directional antennas to maximize gain and minimize interference. The available bandwidth and achievable distance depend on frequency, transmitter power, antenna gain, and the quality of the path. The free-space path loss follows the Friis transmission equation, which shows that loss increases with distance and with higher frequencies (shorter wavelengths).

A key planning consideration is the Fresnel zone, a region around the direct path. Obstructions within this zone can cause diffraction and attenuation, reducing link reliability even if the direct line is unobstructed. Weather and atmospheric conditions also affect performance, especially at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies, where rain, humidity, or oxygen absorption can introduce additional losses. Free-space optical links are particularly sensitive to fog, rain, dust, and misalignment.

Deployment typically involves site surveys, careful mounting and alignment of antennas, and often redundancy through multiple paths or relays to ensure continuity. Line-of-sight connectivity is contrasted with non-line-of-sight approaches, which rely on reflections, scattering, or intermediate repeaters rather than a direct path.

Applications include point-to-point wireless backhaul for cellular networks, campus or rural connectivity, and high-capacity links in meteorological or emergency communication networks.