Integrated approach to free-space optical communication

Jason D. Schmidt; James A. Louthain

doi:10.1117/12.812153

24 February 2009 Integrated approach to free-space optical communication

Jason D. Schmidt, James A. Louthain

Proceedings Volume 7200, Atmospheric Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves III; 72000I (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.812153
Event: SPIE LASE: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2009, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Lasers offer tremendous advantages over RF communication systems in bandwidth and security. Atmospheric turbulence causes severe received power variations and high bit error rates (BERs) in airborne laser communication. If two or more laser beams are separated sufficiently, they can effectively "average out" the effects of the turbulence. This requisite separation distance is derived for multiple geometries, turbulence conditions, and turbulence effects. Integrating multiple techniques into a system alleviates the deleterious effects of turbulence without bulky adaptive optics systems. Wave optics simulations show multiple transmitters, receiver and transmitter trackers, and adaptive thresholding significantly reduce BER (by over 10,000 times).

Citation Download Citation

Jason D. Schmidt and James A. Louthain "Integrated approach to free-space optical communication", Proc. SPIE 7200, Atmospheric Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves III, 72000I (24 February 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.812153

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available