Virtual Journal of Laser

Publication year: 2009
Source: Optics & Laser Technology, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 22 December 2009
W.O., Popoola , Z., Ghassemlooy , C.G., Lee , A.C., Boucouvalas

This paper shows the impact of atmospheric turbulence-induced fading on the symbol decision position in the on-off keying (OOK) and the binary phase shift keying (BPSK) subcarrier intensity modulated (SIM) laser communication link. Weak turbulence is simulated in the laboratory using a chamber equipped with heating elements and fans. We have shown that in atmospheric turbulence, it is advantageous to employ modulation schemes such as pulse time and subcarrier intensity modulations that do not directly impress data on the optical irradiance as is the case with the OOK. For the OOK-modulated laser communication system, atmospheric turbulence imposes complexity on the...