Fixed threshold on-off keying differential detection for satellite optical communications

Area of Science:

• Optical Communications
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Satellite optical communications (SOCs) face challenges from intensity fluctuations.
• Traditional fixed threshold detection methods struggle with these fluctuations, limiting performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel on-off keying (OOK) differential detection technique with a fixed threshold for SOCs.
• To address and mitigate the impact of intensity fluctuations in high-speed optical links.

Main Methods:

• The proposed method utilizes the quasi-stationary nature of the channel due to slow intensity fluctuations.
• It involves comparing the difference between sequential symbols against a fixed threshold.
• The optimal fixed threshold is determined using channel model and noise power information.

Main Results:

• The technique successfully overcomes the Bit Error Rate (BER) limitations of conventional fixed threshold detection.
• Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed differential detection method.

Conclusions:

• The developed fixed threshold differential detection enables robust OOK detection in SOCs.
• This method is suitable for real-time implementation in high-speed satellite optical communication systems.