Fog's Impact on Naval Free Space Optics Communications Links: A Comprehensive Investigation

This paper examines the relationship between fog-induced scintillation and the selection of suitable modulation schemes in naval Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication links. Despite the promise of FSO technology for secure and high-speed naval communications, the impact of environmental factors, particularly fog, remains a significant concern due to its potential to dramatically increase the Bit- Error Rate (BER). Through a thorough investigation, this study examines the influence of fog-induced scintillation on naval FSO links and assesses the effectiveness of different modulation schemes in mitigating its effects. Analysing signal degradation and attenuation under fog-induced scintillation, the research aims to clarify the effectiveness of various modulation strategies. Considerations include BER and Q-factor, estimated through Monte-Carlo simulation. The atmospheric channel was assumed to be impacted by Gamma-Gamma scintillation. The findings provide essential insights for optimizing modulation schemes, thereby enhancing the resilience and performance of FSO systems in the challenging maritime environment affected by fog in both civilian and military applications.