Measurement of scintillation for free-space laser communication at 785 nm and 1550 nm

Isaac I. Kim; Mary Mitchell; Eric J. Korevaar

doi:10.1117/12.372823

13 December 1999 Measurement of scintillation for free-space laser communication at 785 nm and 1550 nm

Isaac I. Kim, Mary Mitchell, Eric J. Korevaar

Proceedings Volume 3850, Optical Wireless Communications II; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.372823
Event: Photonics East '99, 1999, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

An experiment comparing atmospheric scintillation for 785 nm and 1550 nm laser beam transmission is presented. Fluctuations in received optical power were recorded for both wavelengths at terrestrial ranges of 1.2 km and 2.2 km. The number of transmit apertures was also varied. The results indicated that scintillation fades are more of a problem at 1550 nm compared to 785 nm. This will require more scintillation fade margin built into the design of free-space laser communication systems operating at 1550 nm. As well, any advantage in decreased atmospheric attenuation margin at 1550 nm could be lost because of the need for greater fade margin. The overall reduction in scintillation with an increased number of transmit apertures was verified. A possible physical explanation will explain why more scintillation was observed at 1550 nm as compared to 785 nm.

Citation Download Citation

Isaac I. Kim, Mary Mitchell, and Eric J. Korevaar "Measurement of scintillation for free-space laser communication at 785 nm and 1550 nm", Proc. SPIE 3850, Optical Wireless Communications II, (13 December 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.372823

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