Diversity techniques for a free-space optical communication system in correlated log-normal channels

Overview & Synopsis

Performance analysis of free-space optical (FSO) communication systems in different channel conditions has gained significant attention in literature. Nevertheless, most existing studies consider uncorrelated channel conditions. An uncorrelated channel requires sufficient spacing between transmitters and limits the receiver field of view and link distance. However, this might not be feasible in all applications. Thereby, this paper studies repetition code (RC) and orthogonal space time block code (OSTBC) performance in correlated log-normal FSO channels using intensity modulation and direct detection. An approximate analytical expressions using moment generating function for the average bit error probability are derived. Our simulation results show that RCs are superior to OSTBCs in correlated channel conditions.