Simulation Method for the Impact of Atmospheric Wind Speed on Optical Signals in Satellite–Ground Laser Communication Links

Abstract

To analyze the intensity of atmospheric turbulence in a satellite–ground laser communication link, it is important to consider the effect of increased atmospheric turbulence caused by wind speed. Atmospheric turbulence causes a change in the refractive index, which negatively impacts the quality and focusing ability of the laser beam by altering its phase front. To simulate the changes in amplitude and phase characteristics of laser beam propagation in atmospheric turbulence caused by wind speed, a transverse translation phase screen is used. To better understand and address the influence of atmospheric wind speed on the phase of optical signals in satellite–ground laser communication links, this paper proposes a Monte Carlo simulation method. This method utilizes the spatial and temporal variations in the refractive index in the atmosphere and integrates the principles of optical signal propagation in the atmosphere to simulate changes in the phase of optical signals under different wind speed conditions. By analyzing the variations in the received optical signal’s power, the Monte Carlo method is employed to simulate phase screens and logarithmic amplitude screens. Additionally, it models the probability density of the statistical behavior of received optical signal’s fluctuations, as well as the time autocorrelation coefficient of optical signals. This paper, under the coupling condition in satellite–ground laser communication links, conducted a Monte Carlo simulation experiment to analyze the characteristics of the optical signal’s fluctuations in the link and discovered that atmospheric wind speed affects the shape of the power spectral density model of the received optical signal. Increasing wind speed leads to a decrease in the time autocorrelation coefficient of the received optical signal and affects the coupling efficiency. The paper then used a cubic spline interpolation fitting method to verify the models of the power spectral density and the autocorrelation time coefficient of the optical signal. This provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the optimization of satellite–ground laser communication systems.