This article was published online on 23 November 2009. An error was subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected 12 January 2010.
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Research Article
Prediction of drop size distribution parameters for optical wireless communications through moderate continental fog†
Article first published online: 23 NOV 2009
DOI: 10.1002/sat.950
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issue
International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking
Special Issue: Special issue on Channel Modelling and Propagation Impairment Simulation Activities Within the SatNEx Project
Volume 29, Issue 1, pages 97–116, January/February 2011
Additional Information
How to Cite
Awan, M. S., Nebuloni, R., Capsoni, C., Csurgai-Horváth, L., Muhammad, S. S., Nadeem, F., Khan, M. S. and Leitgeb, E. (2011), Prediction of drop size distribution parameters for optical wireless communications through moderate continental fog. Int. J. Satell. Commun. Network., 29: 97–116. doi: 10.1002/sat.950
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 NOV 2009
- Article first published online: 23 NOV 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 7 APR 2009
- Manuscript Revised: 16 FEB 2009
- Manuscript Received: 24 SEP 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- drop size distribution (DSD);
- optical communication links (OCL);
- optical Ground Station (OGS);
- specific attenuation;
- visual range;
- free space optics (FSO)
Abstract
Wireless optical communication links (OCL), or free space optics links involving optical ground stations are highly influenced by the earth atmosphere due to the interaction of the optical wave with particles of different size and shape. Fog, clouds, rain and snow cause significant signal attenuation, thus limiting the performance of OCL. In this paper, we consider the behavior of OCL in the troposphere under moderate continental fog conditions, which are important for both ground–ground and ground–space OCL. The impact of the droplet size distribution (DSD) of fog is investigated, by processing laser attenuation measurements carried out in Milan (Italy) and Graz (Austria). Significant differences are observed between measured and predicted attenuation when using standard values for the DSD parameters. Hence, new sets of DSD parameters are proposed to model peak, mean and median values of measured attenuation for moderate continental fog. These, in turn, can be useful to make accurate link availability predictions, thus improving the quality of service design for OCL. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.