Abstract
Free space optical links between the ground and space may be severely degraded by atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive Optics, a technique allowing partial correction of this degradation, is beginning to see use in the field with the potential to achieve more robust and higher bandwidth links. Here we present a simulation tool, FAST, which utilises an analytical Fourier domain Adaptive Optics model developed for astronomy. Using the reciprocity principle, the simulation may be applied either to downlink post-compensated or uplink pre-compensated beams. We show that FAST gives similar results to full end-to-end simulations with wave-optical propagation whilst being between 10 and 200 times faster, enabling the characterisation of optical links with complex Adaptive Optics systems in timely fashion.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 23050-23064 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 13 |
Early online date | 9 Jun 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Jun 2022 |
Externally published | Yes |