Reliability analysis of an auto-tracked FSO link under adverse weather condition

In this paper, the effects of auto-tracking subsystems on the Bit-Error-Rate (BER) and reliability of free-space optical (FSO) communication links are investigated. Considering environmental influences on the laser beam intensity distribution in receiver, we study the propagation properties of Gaussian laser beams through a complete optical path. Then it is tried to derive an analytical formula for intensity distribution along the complete optical path as well as on the receiver's detector plane based on the Collins integral. Based upon the intensity formula, we calculate the values of signal to noise ratio (SNR), BER, and power while considering the effects of atmospheric losses due to absorption, scattering and turbulence on them. Using mentioned values, the role of auto-tracking subsystems on link reliability improvement in adverse weather condition is described. The related results are illustrated by graphs obtained by calculations and simulations.