Performance analysis of mixed Nakagami- m and Gamma–Gamma dual-hop FSO transmission systems

In this paper, we carry out a unified performance analysis of a dual-hop relay system over the asymmetric links composed of both radio-frequency (RF) and unified free-space optical (FSO) links under the effect of pointing errors. Both fixed and variable gain relay systems are studied. The RF link is modeled by the Nakagami-m fading channel and the FSO link by the Gamma-Gamma fading channel subject to both types of detection techniques (i.e., heterodyne detection and intensity modulation with direct detection). In particular, we derive new unified closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function, the probability density function, the moment generating function (MGF), and the moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of these systems in terms of the Meijer's G function. Based on these formulas, we offer exact closed-form expressions for the outage probability (OP), the higher order amount of fading, and the average bit error rate (BER) of a variety of binary modulations in terms of the Meijer's G function. Furthermore, an exact closed-form expression of the end-to-end ergodic capacity is derived in terms of the bivariate G function. Additionally, by using the asymptotic expansion of the Meijer's G function at the high-SNR regime, we derive new asymptotic results for the OP, the MGF, and the average BER in terms of simple elementary functions

Free-space optical communication employing subcarrier modulation and spatial diversity in atmospheric turbulence channel

An expression for the bit error rate of a multiple subcarrier intensity-modulated atmospheric optical communication system employing spatial diversity is derived. Spatial diversity is used to mitigate scintillation caused by atmospheric turbulence, which is assumed to obey lognormal distribution. Optimal but complex maximum ratio, equal gain combining (EGC) and relatively simple selection combining spatial diversity techniques in a clear atmosphere are considered. Each subcarrier is modulated using binary phase shift keying. Laser irradiance is subsequently modulated by a subcarrier signal, and a direct detection PIN receiver is employed (i.e. intensity modulation/direction detection). At a subcarrier level, coherent demodulation is used to extract the transmitted data/information. The performance of on–off-keying is also presented and compared with the subcarrier intensity modulation under the same atmospheric conditions