can an "infrared laser" be used as an optical wireless link over 1 km?

first of all, i'm fairly new to lasers so I apologize if the obvious doesn't seem so obvious to me....Basically, I am trying to create a project in which I can control an "infrared receiver" interfaced with a microcontroller (arduino,picaxe,basic stamp,etc) with a source of light. Normally I would achieve this by using an IR (infrared) LED (light-emitting diode) transmitter like shown in the first link right here: IR Remote Control of PICAXE Micro

however, remote control or IR LED transmitters can only provide so much range, as I am trying to get a range of at least 100 meters - 1,000 meters (1 KM). Conversely, I've also heard of high power IR LED transmitters providing a voice link over many miles (which would be nice if I knew how to do that) like shown in these links:
KA7OEI Optical (lightbeam) through-the-air communications page
KA7OEI - Revisiting the 107 mile optical path
MODULATED LIGHT DX

I'm not sure how this kind of range is possible to attain from just using high power LEDs though, my guess is they incorporate some sort of a fresnel lens in conjunction with the LEDs, at least that is what is stated in the following link but I have my suspicions that that could not be possible:
KA7OEI - 173 mile optical QSO

so instead of using IR LEDs, I might have to resort to a laser source, preferably "infrared lasers" like the ones displayed/sold on this website but I don't know which one to choose from:

High Power Infrared Laser Pointer ( IR Laser) - Laser power: 1w,1.5w, 2w
Professional laser : IR Laser ( Infrared Laser Pointer ) High Powerful lasers,1W, 1500mw power
High Power Burning Lasers IR Laser/ Infrared Laser - , Maximum Power 3W

An issue in which I have not addressed thus far is whether or not any of these lasers would be compatible with my infrared receiver (shown in the 1st link). How would I know if they are or are not compatible with each other?? (the laser transmitter & IR receiver).

So let me just reiterate on what my ambitions are....i am trying to control an infrared receiver connected to a microcontroller using an "infrared laser" from long distance using an optical wireless link (voice link, data link, etc) . The IR receiver would receive the modulated carrier frequency signal from the invisible light & then transform the optical signal to an electric signal in which the microcontroller interfaced with the IR receiver can then be controlled by. Ideally, I would substitute the laser for an IR LED transmitter but I don't know how to achieve the range that I am looking for with it. Do any of you have any hints or suggestions on how I could go about doing this?

You have basically answered your own questions with the
links that you provided..

All you need to do is choose a Laser wavelength that closely
matches the peak sensitivity of your receiving sensor.

Then you would need to modulate the Laser at the center
frequency of the demodulating receiving device you chose.

Then put your data you want to send on top of that modulated
stream.

Then no doubt you will need to test different optical lenses
to capture as much of the Laser's energy at the receiving
end. You may also need a Beam Expander on the Laser
to keep the divergence low.

So... yes you can use an "infrared laser" as an optical
wireless link over 1 km" if designed properly.


Jerry