Increased capacity demands and radio frequency (RF) congestion impacts on current communication networks have brought greater attention to free-space optical (FSO) communication as a viable augmentation technology for terrestrial, aerial, and space-based communication infrastructure. As a complementary alternative to RF communication systems, FSO can support high link bandwidths and provide high data security without RF spectral constraints. The performance of FSO links, however, can be significantly impacted by receive power variation caused by propagation and scattering losses along with losses due to atmospheric turbulence. Depending on the FSO application, these loss mechanisms can dynamically change, impacting link performance at different time scales. We investigate subcarrier phase-shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) intensity modulation that can be adapted to dynamically changing link conditions to optimize bandwidth utilization. Using custom subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) modems, the performance of binary PSK (BPSK), QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, and 16-QAM waveforms is reported. The impact of adaptive equalization is also characterized, and the initial performance of a subcarrier multiplexed system is presented. This work represents the first experimental evaluation of SIM waveforms using a laboratory scintillation playback system based on scintillation recorded over real-world propagation paths.
Optical propagation in a marine environment is important to understand for many applications. In particular, free space optical communication can be significantly impacted by surges and fades in signal strength caused by scintillation. For over ten years, the United States Naval Research Laboratory has maintained a 16 km free space optical link across the Chesapeake Bay at our Lasercom Test Facility. This laboratory has continuously recorded scintillation, as well as environmental parameters. Recently, we have begun a modeling and simulation effort. Fundamental models like the Naval Postgraduate School’s NAVSLaM are used to predict turbulence parameters based on weather measurements. Wave optics simulation, using these parameters, is then used to predict scintillation. These predictions are then compared to measurements. Wave optics simulation requires an underlying model of the spectrum of turbulence. A variety of turbulence spectra have been proposed, including the Kolomogorov, Von Karman, Hill and Marine spectra. In this talk we compare wave optics simulation, using these spectra, to experimental measurements, and examine which spectra best match the data.
As satellite constellations continue to expand and capacity demands grow, free-space optical (FSO) communication offers a complementary alternative to RF systems for low-Earth-orbit satellite communication networks. FSO systems can support higher link bandwidths and provide high data security without RF spectral constraints. The performance of FSO-LEO links, however, can be significantly impacted by receive power variation caused by propagation and scattering losses along with losses due to atmospheric turbulence. Here, we investigate intensity modulated, direct detection (IM/DD) digital waveforms that can be adapted to dynamically changing link conditions to optimize bandwidth utilization. Using a laboratory scintillation playback system, the performance of BPSK, QPSK, and 8PSK waveforms will be presented and compared to theoretical modelling. The impact of adaptive equalization will be characterized and initial performance of a multi-channel IM/DD architecture will be presented.
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