title: Efficiency of complex modulation methods in coherent free-space optical links.
abstract: We study the performance of various binary and nonbinary modulation methods applied to coherent laser communication through the turbulent atmosphere. We compare the spectral efficiencies and SNR efficiencies of complex modulations, and consider options for atmospheric compensation, including phase correction and diversity combining techniques. Our analysis shows that high communication rates require receivers with good sensitivity along with some technique to mitigate the effect of atmospheric fading.
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Catalonia, Department of Signal Theory and Communications, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. belmonte@tsc.upc.edu
authors.forename: Aniceto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belmonte
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kahn
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D055096:Optical Devices; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013685:Telecommunications