TY - GEN
T1 - Generalized atmospheric turbulence
T2 - Atmospheric and Oceanic Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves IV
AU - Kopeika, Norman S.
AU - Zilberman, Arkadi
AU - Golbraikh, Ephim
PY - 2010/5/6
Y1 - 2010/5/6
N2 - At present, system design usually assumes the Kolmogorov model of refractive index fluctuation spectra in the atmosphere. However, experimental data indicates that in the atmospheric boundary layer and at higher altitudes the turbulence can be different from Kolmogorov's type. In optical communications, analytical models of mean irradiance and scintillation index have been developed for a traditional Kolmogorov spectrum and must be revised for non-Kolmogorov turbulence. The image quality (resolution, MTF, etc.) is essentially dependent on the properties of turbulent media. Turbulence MTF must be generalized to include non-Kolmogorov statistics. The change in fluctuation correlations of the refractive index can lead to a considerable change in both the MTF form and the resolution value. In this work, on the basis of experimental observations and modeling, generalized atmospheric turbulence statistics including both Kolmogorov and non-Kolmogorov path components are discussed, and their influence on imaging and communications through the atmosphere estimated for different scenarios of vertical and slant-path propagation. The atmospheric model of an arbitrary (non-Kolmogorov) spectrum is applied to estimate the statistical quantities associated with optical communication links (e.g., scintillation and fading statistics) and imaging systems. Implications can be significant for optical communication, imaging through the atmosphere, and remote sensing.
AB - At present, system design usually assumes the Kolmogorov model of refractive index fluctuation spectra in the atmosphere. However, experimental data indicates that in the atmospheric boundary layer and at higher altitudes the turbulence can be different from Kolmogorov's type. In optical communications, analytical models of mean irradiance and scintillation index have been developed for a traditional Kolmogorov spectrum and must be revised for non-Kolmogorov turbulence. The image quality (resolution, MTF, etc.) is essentially dependent on the properties of turbulent media. Turbulence MTF must be generalized to include non-Kolmogorov statistics. The change in fluctuation correlations of the refractive index can lead to a considerable change in both the MTF form and the resolution value. In this work, on the basis of experimental observations and modeling, generalized atmospheric turbulence statistics including both Kolmogorov and non-Kolmogorov path components are discussed, and their influence on imaging and communications through the atmosphere estimated for different scenarios of vertical and slant-path propagation. The atmospheric model of an arbitrary (non-Kolmogorov) spectrum is applied to estimate the statistical quantities associated with optical communication links (e.g., scintillation and fading statistics) and imaging systems. Implications can be significant for optical communication, imaging through the atmosphere, and remote sensing.
KW - Atmospheric turbulence
KW - Image quality
KW - Optical communications
KW - Turbulence spectrum
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951683715&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1117/12.841884
DO - 10.1117/12.841884
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:77951683715
SN - 9780819479846
T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
BT - Atmospheric and Oceanic Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves IV
Y2 - 25 January 2010 through 26 January 2010
ER -