Anisoplanatic studies and Fried parameter estimation via multi-channel laser communication system

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-12-2013

Abstract

The knowledge of the turbulence conditions and the ability to describe its properties are the key aspects to improve performance and extend the range of optical communication systems. The developed multi-channel, outdoor 3.2 km, partially over water, turbulence measurement and monitoring communication platform is directed to collect significant amount of the experimental data with the goal of statistically describe atmospheric turbulence. The communication system described in this paper has two transmitters and two receivers. The transmitter side is equipped with the laser and the bank of 14 horizontally, in-line mounted LEDs. The receiver side consists of two channels for wave front sensor (WFS) and point spread function (PSF) measurements. Data collected via both channels is further used for Fried parameter estimation and anisoplanatic studies. In this article authors provide comprehensive analysis of the turbulence statistics extracted from the experimental data. Statistics of Freid parameter r0 is derived from 6 Tb of data collected through 40 days time interval, and under various day and night atmospheric conditions. These data collected from WFS and PSF channels are digitally post processed and results obtained from PSF measurements are compared with the ones derived from the WFS data. Consistent results obtained via both channels allows authors to conclude that the entire system performs reliably and generates trustworthy results. Results extracted from the data collected via both channels show significant fluctuations of r0 with the values ranging from 2mmand up to 20 cm. The data collected from the PSF channel is also used for measurements of anisoplanetic effects. Theoretically, the severe anisoplanatic conditions found in horizontally imaging scenarios can be approximated by a finite number of phase screens placed along the imaging path. However, comparison of adjacent PSFs generated in this manner reveals significant correlation at angles much larger than the predicted theoretical isoplanatic angle. In this article the effects of anisoplanatism on the optics point spread function via simulations and experimental approaches have also been studied. © 2013 IEEE.

Publication Title

IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings

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