The experimental determination of on-off keying laser communications probability models and a comparison with theory

William Brown; Bruce Wallin; Daniel Lesniewski; David Gooding; James Martin

doi:10.1117/12.659908

1 March 2006 The experimental determination of on-off keying laser communications probability models and a comparison with theory

William Brown, Bruce Wallin, Daniel Lesniewski, David Gooding, James Martin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6105, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVIII; 61050U (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.659908
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

It is well known that atmospheric turbulence diminishes the performance of laser communications systems. Among the multiple degradations caused by turbulence is fading and surging of the received signal, usually referred to as scintillation. If a minimum probability of error receiver is employed for on-off keying (OOK), it is necessary to understand the two conditional probability densities (pdfs) corresponding to the transmission of ones and zeros. These probability densities are the distributions of signals received when the laser is on when sending binary ones and when the laser is off sending binary zeros. Many theoretical studies have determined the expected forms of the pdfs. An ongoing experimental study operating a low-power, low data rate link over a range of 9.3 Km has been started at Colorado State University-Pueblo to carefully examine the effects of atmospheric turbulence on laser communications. Experimental models of actual, true and typical pdfs have been obtained. The results do not always match theoretical predictions. The non-stationary nature of these pdfs is also a problem that must be addressed. This paper summarizes the experimental testing and shares a number of its conclusions.

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William Brown, Bruce Wallin, Daniel Lesniewski, David Gooding, and James Martin "The experimental determination of on-off keying laser communications probability models and a comparison with theory", Proc. SPIE 6105, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XVIII, 61050U (1 March 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.659908

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