NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · 1972 · 36 citations · 0 references
EngineeringElectrical EngineeringPhysicsDigital CommunicationInformation TheoryOpticsFree-space OpticsOptical Communication SystemsOptical DetectorsPhotodetectorsPhysical OpticsQuantum CommunicationBackground NoiseChannel ModelingDirect DetectionDirect-detection Optical CommunicationDirect-detection ReceiversFree-space Optical CommunicationOptical Communication LinksOptical Receivers
An introduction is provided to the important ideas involved in the design and the evaluation of optical communication systems which transmit digital or analog data. Field representations are discussed together with background noise, a detector statistical model, quantum receivers, and turbulent and scatter channels. Free-space channels are considered, taking into account heterodyne systems, preamplifier and homodyne systems, direct-detection systems, and optimum quantum systems.