Impact of Pointing Errors on the Performance of Mixed RF/FSO Dual-Hop Transmission Systems

In this work, the performance analysis of a dual-hop relay transmission system composed of asymmetric radio-frequency (RF)/free-space optical (FSO) links with pointing errors is presented. More specifically, we build on the system model presented in [1] to derive new exact closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function, probability density function, moment generating function, and moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio in terms of the Meijer's G function. We then capitalize on these results to offer new exact closed-form expressions for the higher-order amount of fading, average error rate for binary and M-ary modulation schemes, and the ergodic capacity, all in terms of Meijer's G functions. Our new analytical results were also verified via computer-based Monte-Carlo simulation results.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Unified Performance Analysis of Mixed Line of Sight RF-FSO Fixed Gain Dual-Hop Transmission Systems

In this work, we carry out a unified performance analysis of a dual-hop fixed gain relay system over asymmetric links composed of both radio-frequency (RF) and unified free-space optics (FSO) under the effect of pointing errors. 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 (IM/DD)). In particular, we derive new unified closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function, the probability density function, the moment generation function, and the moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio 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, the higher-order amount of fading, and the average bit-error rate of a variety of binary modulations in terms of the Meijer's G function. Further, an exact closed-form expression for the end-to-end ergodic capacity for the Nakagami-$m$-unified FSO relay links is derived in terms of the bivariate G function. All the given results are verified via Computer-based Monte-Carlo simulations

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

Composite and Cascaded Generalized-K Fading Channel Modeling and Their Diversity and Performance Analysis

The introduction of new schemes that are based on the communication among nodes has motivated the use of composite fading models due to the fact that the nodes experience different multipath fading and shadowing statistics, which subsequently determines the required statistics for the performance analysis of different transceivers. The end-to-end signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) statistics plays an essential role in the determination of the performance of cascaded digital communication systems. In this thesis, a closed-form expression for the probability density function (PDF) of the end-end SNR for independent but not necessarily identically distributed (i.n.i.d.) cascaded generalized-K (GK) composite fading channels is derived. The developed PDF expression in terms of the Meijer-G function allows the derivation of subsequent performance metrics, applicable to different modulation schemes, including outage probability, bit error rate for coherent as well as non-coherent systems, and average channel capacity that provides insights into the performance of a digital communication system operating in N cascaded GK composite fading environment. Another line of research that was motivated by the introduction of composite fading channels is the error performance. Error performance is one of the main performance measures and derivation of its closed-form expression has proved to be quite involved for certain systems. Hence, in this thesis, a unified closed-form expression, applicable to different binary modulation schemes, for the bit error rate of dual-branch selection diversity based systems undergoing i.n.i.d. GK fading is derived in terms of the extended generalized bivariate Meijer G-function

Asymptotic performance analysis of two-way relaying FSO networks with nonzero boresight pointing errors over double-generalized gamma fading channels

In this correspondence, an asymptotic performance analysis for two-way relaying free-space optical (FSO) communication systems with nonzero boresight pointing errors over double-generalized gamma fading channels is presented. Assuming amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying, two nodes having the FSO ability can communicate with each other through the optical links. With this setup, an approximate cumulative distribution function (CDF) expression for the overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is presented. With this statistic distribution, we derive the asymptotic analytical results for the outage probability and average bit error rate. Furthermore, we provide the asymptotic average capacity analysis for high SNR by using the momentsbased method

Interactive Tree Map For Visualising Transnational Engineering Curricula

In response to issues in engineering education, where academic staff do not have an overview of how their courses fit into the curriculum as a whole (or what students' prior knowledge is), we have designed an interactive tree map that allows staff and students to visualize their curricula. We have invited a total of 438 third year students to evaluate the effectiveness of this tool. According to surveys that were completed by 60 students, 70% of students rated their experience as positive, with 22% indicating that the visualization tool was generally excellent. Moreover, 30% of students indicated that the interactive tree curriculum map was excellent for understanding the curriculum structure. Due to the challenges of block teaching in transnational programmes, these interactive tree maps are therefore a useful visualization tool to help students better understand course progression and curriculum development