Performance analysis of mixed IRS-aided RF-FSO system with pointing errors and link blockage

Abstract

This research investigates the performance of the mixed intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) aided radio frequency-free space optical (RF-FSO) communication network system. IRS-aided RF link experiences Nakagami-m distribution, while FSO link undergoes F distribution turbulence with pointing errors and link blockage. Based on amplify-and-forward (AF) relay scheme, the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) are obtained. Novel expressions about the performance metrics including outage probability, average bit error rate (BER) and ergodic capacity are deduced and asymptotic expression for outage probability is also given at high SNR regime. By using these expressions, the system performance influenced by the number of IRS elements, pointing errors, blocking probability, atmospheric turbulence, detection techniques are further studied. The results demonstrate that IRS can effectively improve the mixed network performance. Eventually, using Monte Carlo simulations verify the results well.