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Aperture-averaged scintillation for a weak underwater turbulence-affected Gaussian beam using the OTOPS model
Summary
This study introduces a new model for underwater optical turbulence, showing aperture averaging significantly improves free-space optical communication performance by reducing errors and signal fades in oceanic environments.
Area of Science:
- Optical physics
- Ocean optics
- Wireless communication
Background:
- Scintillation is crucial for calculating optical system performance in turbulent media.
- Underwater optical turbulence effects on laser beams are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive analytical expressions for aperture-averaged scintillation using the oceanic turbulence optical power spectrum (OTOPS).
- To investigate the impact of weak oceanic turbulence on free-space optical system performance for Gaussian beam waves.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the oceanic turbulence optical power spectrum (OTOPS) for scintillation calculations.
- Analyzed aperture-averaged scintillation for a propagating Gaussian beam wave.
- Investigated the influence of receiver aperture size relative to the Fresnel zone.
Main Results:
- Aperture averaging significantly reduces mean bit error rate (BER) and probability of fade.
- Effective reduction is achieved when receiver aperture diameter exceeds the Fresnel zone.
- Results are valid for weak turbulence in various natural waters.
Conclusions:
- The OTOPS model provides accurate analytical expressions for underwater scintillation.
- Aperture averaging is a key strategy for enhancing underwater free-space optical communication reliability.
- System performance is sensitive to temperature and salinity concentrations in oceanic turbulence.
