Apparatus for simulating optical transmission links
Abstract
A space-to-space or space-to-earth optical transmission link is simulated by positioning a linear optical modulator between an optical carrier source and a receiver for the carrier. The optical modulator is driven by an analog signal having random variations indicative of characteristics of the transmission link, as derived from an analog computer circuit. The analog computer circuit is responsive to a Gaussian random analog source. For space-to-space transmission, transmitter pointing jitter is a dominant noise source and is simulated by deriving a beta statistical variation from the analog computer. For space-to-earth transmission, atmospheric scintillation is a dominant noise source and is simulated by driving the modulator with one of (1) a log normal, (2) Rayleigh, or (3) Ricean output of the analog computer circuit.
- Publication:
-
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Report
- Pub Date:
- February 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976nasa.reptQ....F
- Keywords:
-
- Analog Simulation;
- Data Links;
- Optical Communication;
- Analog Computers;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Light Modulation;
- Optical Heterodyning;
- Patents;
- Space Communication;
- Optics