Atmospheric turbulence measurements over desert site using ground-based instruments, kite/tethered-blimp platform, and aircraft relevant to optical communications and imaging systems: preliminary results

Arun K. Majumdar; Frank D. Eaton; Michael L. Jensen; Demos T. Kyrazis; Bryce Schumm; Matthew P. Dierking; Marjorie A. Shoemake; Dari Dexheimer; Jennifer C. Ricklin

doi:10.1117/12.684010

1 September 2006 Atmospheric turbulence measurements over desert site using ground-based instruments, kite/tethered-blimp platform, and aircraft relevant to optical communications and imaging systems: preliminary results

Arun K. Majumdar, Frank D. Eaton, Michael L. Jensen, Demos T. Kyrazis, Bryce Schumm, Matthew P. Dierking, Marjorie A. Shoemake, Dari Dexheimer, Jennifer C. Ricklin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6304, Free-Space Laser Communications VI; 63040X (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.684010
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

New results of the (temperature) refractive index structure parameter (C_T²), C_n² are presented from fast response sensor observations near the ground and also using a kite/tethered blimp platform and an aircraft, at the Edward Air Force Base in Mojave Desert, California. Additional optical measurements include near-ground scintillation observations over horizontal paths. Atmospheric turbidity were also calculated from direct beam solar radiation measurements using pyrheliometer. Comparisons were made of the observed profiles of refractive index structure parameters (C_n²) with theoretical modeled profiles, and two derived quantities such as transverse coherence length (r₀) and isoplanatic angle (θ₀) for a slant path are discussed. All of these parameters are the major indicators of turbulence and are important to design an aircraft or space-craft-based free-space laser communication and high resolution optical synthetic-aperture imaging systems. Non-isotropic turbulence observations from some of the data will be pointed out. Probability density functions (PDF) of the distribution of C_n² will be described using histograms. Fundamental limits imposed by atmospheric effects in high data rate communication and optical synthetic-aperture imaging systems will be discussed.

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Arun K. Majumdar, Frank D. Eaton, Michael L. Jensen, Demos T. Kyrazis, Bryce Schumm, Matthew P. Dierking, Marjorie A. Shoemake, Dari Dexheimer, and Jennifer C. Ricklin "Atmospheric turbulence measurements over desert site using ground-based instruments, kite/tethered-blimp platform, and aircraft relevant to optical communications and imaging systems: preliminary results", Proc. SPIE 6304, Free-Space Laser Communications VI, 63040X (1 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.684010

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