Analyzing the Effect of Scintillation on Free Space Optics

Abstract

Owing to the unique features of free space optics such as high data rate, large bandwidth, easy installation and license free spectrum, this wireless technology is gaining a lot of momentum nowadays. Since the medium through which the signal travels is atmosphere, the performance of the system primarily depends upon the weather. Scintillation is one of the major concerns which is caused by variation in refractive index of air due to change in temperature. In this paper, the effect of scintillation on the performance of FSO system is analyzed in terms of eye diagrams, BER and Q-factor.