Optical Backhaul Links between HAPs and Satellites in the Multi-Gigabit Regime

In free-space optical communication links through the atmosphere, turbulence induced effects limit system performance. We analyze link scenarios between satellites and high-altitude platforms (HAPs), where the atmospheric impact on a laser beam is less severe than directly above ground. The feasibility of optical communication links through the atmosphere between HAPs and geostationary (GEO) satellites for data rates up to 10.7 Gbit/s when using forward-error correction (FEC) is shown.