Free-space optical communication

Free-space optical communication is a way of sending messages or transferring data using light signals. This makes it different than traditional forms of communications (like radio or telephone) which use sound waves. With free-space optical communication, light signals are sent through the air, like a light beam from a flashlight. The light beam carries the message from one location (such as a computer) to another location (such as another computer). The other computer then receives the information in the light beam and uses it to transfer the message or data. It's similar to how a laser pointer works - you point the laser at one place and the path of the light lets people at the other end of the room know what you want them to know.