Free-Space Optical

Communication in
Atmospheric Turbulence using
DPSK Subcarrier Modulation
siddharth
khosla
11bec0536

Abstract
The bit error rate (BER) expression and
performance of free-space optical communication
link in clear but turbulent atmosphere using
subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) with
differential phase shift keying (DPSK) is
presented.
The practical linear combining technique suitable
for differentially modulated data (selection
combining) is considered and its performance
evaluated under weak atmospheric turbulence.
The theoretical link margin obtainable from using
selection combining under weak turbulence
modeled as log normal distribution is also
discussed.

Introduction
Free space optical (FSO) communications as an alternative means of
providing high bandwidth links over a short to medium range has seen
a growing increase in research and development activities over the past
few years. Increasing commercial deployment of FSO could be said to
be partly responsible for this surge in research activities .
FSO is used in a number of applications including the cellular
communication backhaul, back-up link in optical fibre communications,
exhibition halls, and disaster recovery among other emerging
applications.
However, of major concern in FSO for out-door environment is the
dependence of its channel on unpredictable weather conditions . Effects
of fog, rain, atmospheric gases and aerosols result in beam attenuation
due to photon absorption and scattering . Other factors that affect FSO
performance include turbulence, strong wind, building sway and
background radiations.

 In dense fog conditions, laser radiations suffer from high

attenuation of up to ~270dB/km [1], thus resulting in
reduced link span and deteriorated quality of service.
To ensure communication in this kind of weather
condition, a hybrid scheme FSO/RF could be deployed.
The hybrid FSO/RF takes advantage of the fact that
electromagnetic waves within the radio frequency
spectrum do not suffer a great deal of attenuation in
foggy weather unlike infrared radiations.
In clear weather conditions when attenuation is minimal,
FSO link has the capability to perform over a longer span.
But for distance greater than 1 km, the effect of
turbulence needs to be taken into consideration.
The turbulence results from the random variation in the
index of refraction of the atmosphere which is directly
related to atmospheric temperature fluctuations, altitude
and wind speed.

THEORY