Design and evaluation of an atmospheric laser communication link utilizing an infrared emitting injection laser diode

The design of a digital optical communication link operating over a short atmospheric path is presented. The system utilizes direct detection technique to detect the pulses transmitted by a Gallium Arsenide injection laser source emitting at 0.904 pm. The maximum bit rate is about 10 kbps. Theory and operating principles of the devices and the atmospheric effects in optical communication are described. Data on the performance of the link has been obtained and probability of error curves have been plotted for operation during different atmospheric conditions. The experimental study allows an evaluation of the injection laser as a device for transmitting digital information over short atmospheric paths.