Power Penalty For Optical Free-Space Data Links Due To Background Illumination

Walter R. Leeb

doi:10.1117/12.976553

2 May 1988 Power Penalty For Optical Free-Space Data Links Due To Background Illumination

Walter R. Leeb

Proceedings Volume 0885, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976553
Event: 1988 Los Angeles Symposium: O-E/LASE '88, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

In free-space optical data transmission systems illumination of the receive antenna by background radiation will decrease the signal-to-noise ratio. We derive expressions for that degradation both for direct and for heterodyne/homodyne receivers. Examples are given for the case that the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, and Venus illuminate earth-orbiting receivers operating at wavelengths of 0.85μm, 1.3μm, and 10.6 μm. Direct detection receivers will typically suffer a degradation between 5 and 15dB at λ=0.85p.m and λ=1.3pm when hit by the Sun. Heterodyne/homodyne receivers at 10.6 μm degrade stronger with Sun radiation (typically 4dB) than at the smaller wavelengths (z0.3dB). Moon, Earth, and Venus cause negligible reduction of signal-to-noise ratio.

Citation Download Citation

Walter R. Leeb "Power Penalty For Optical Free-Space Data Links Due To Background Illumination", Proc. SPIE 0885, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies, (2 May 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976553

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