Atmospheric optical turbulence measurements at varying elevation angles

Lily Westerby-Griffin; James Osborn; Ollie J. D. Farley; Ryan Griffiths; Gordon D. Love

doi:10.1117/12.2649231

15 March 2023 Atmospheric optical turbulence measurements at varying elevation angles

Lily Westerby-Griffin, James Osborn, Ollie J. D. Farley, Ryan Griffiths, Gordon D. Love

Proceedings Volume 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV; 124131G (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2649231
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Understanding the vertical distribution of atmospheric optical turbulence is essential for the global-scale implementation of free-space optical communications (FSOC). Maintaining communications with satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) requires tracking over changing elevation angles. Decreasing elevation angles in optical communication links due to a satellite’s orbit attributes to significant signal losses due to increased propagation lengths and strong turbulence. Here we present the variance in atmospheric optical turbulence measurements in the form of scintillation index and Fried parameter measured on the Island of La Palma. These measurements are taken between elevation angles of 90° and 0° with reference measurements being taken concurrently at zenith to remove temporal variations. The results are compared with the existing theory.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Lily Westerby-Griffin, James Osborn, Ollie J. D. Farley, Ryan Griffiths, and Gordon D. Love "Atmospheric optical turbulence measurements at varying elevation angles", Proc. SPIE 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV, 124131G (15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2649231

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