Link availability of satellite-based FSO communications in the presence of clouds and turbulence

Abstract

This letter addresses the link availability issue in satellite-based free space optical (FSO) communications. In particular, we present an accurate analysis for the estimation of the link availability in the presence of clouds and atmospheric turbulence. For this purpose, a meteorological ERA-Interim database, produced by the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF), is investigated. The obtained data is, then, used to analyze the link availability for several regions in Japan. In addition, site diversity scheme is also investigated to enhance the system availability.