Alphabet free-space optics spin-out Taara launched a planning tool built specifically for wireless optical communications.

The Taara Link Planner uses light beams to deliver fiber-like internet speeds through the air. The solution leverages Taara Lightbridge wireless optical communications technology and was reportedly "validated against one of the largest real-world datasets on free-space optical links ever assembled."

Users either enter an address or coordinates with the planner, or place link endpoints manually on a map, to assess link distance and identify potential line-of-sight obstructions. They can also adjust mounting heights and estimate expected availability based on local atmospheric conditions, as well as review estimated performance across the year.

Taara claimed its internal modeling shows availability with about 1% average accuracy of predictions, though conditioned on local weather data availability and that terminals are installed to specification. In areas where local weather data is limited or unavailable, the system leverages broader climate and atmospheric models to generate accurate planning estimates.

Taara Link Planner is designed for operators with dedicated planning departments and local service providers with hands-on field engineers, providing an accurate way to plan high-speed links without potentially long waits for fiber installations.

The system launch follows Taara's deal with Cintegral that will see the Californian production company use Taara’s Lightbridge solution for its ST 2110 Fiber-over-Air solution to help beam 4K and 8K footage between filming locations.

Taara was born out of Alphabet's Google Moonshot Factory, also known as X Labs. Specifically, it was born from Project Loon, a system of high-altitude balloons that formed an aerial wireless network to transmit internet connectivity to remote communities.

While that venture was ultimately shut down by Alphabet with a number of its patents sold off to SoftBank, Taara emerged from Alphabet as an independent company last year with backing from venture capital firm Series X Capital.

The firm recently unveiled its Lightbridge Pro beaming solution, which is said to “instantly upgrade” existing infrastructure over the air, as well as a photonics chip that uses light-based connectivity within data centers.