Bit-error rate for free-space optical communication with tip–tilt compensation

Abstract

In this paper, a new kind of method is developed to analyse the bit-error rate for a free-space optical communication system, which is based on the three most important parameters of scintillation statistics, i.e. fraction of time of fade and surge, mean frequency of level crossings, and mean duration of fade and surge. By using this method, the relationship between the bit-error rate and scintillation is clearly identified. The tip–tilt error deteriorates the performance of a free-space optical communication system. Fine tracking ability of adaptive optics (through tip–tilt compensation) can overcome this difficulty. The fade and surge statistical parameters with tip–tilt compensation are evaluated for the plane wave model. The bit-error rate as a function of the scintillation statistical parameters (with tip–tilt compensation) is developed. The results show that the bit-error rate is reduced notably through tip–tilt compensation for free-space optical communication.