BPM-based atmospheric turbulence propagator for optical ground-to-space links through extended Rayleigh Sommerfield theory and phase screen generation

Optical feeder links (OFLs) have the potential to replace RF solutions in satellite communications due to their larger unlicensed bandwidths and higher data rate. Nonetheless, the achievable performances limited by the harsh environment of the atmosphere encountered by the laser beam, necessitate to i) quantify and analyze turbulence impact on the link, and ii) design and implement effective countermeasures. Turbulence phase screens, which depict the phase and amplitude aberrations caused by the atmosphere, may be used to extract the perturbed optical wavefront emulating the free space link propagation. This paper introduces a novel approach for Free Space Optic (FSO) propagation of a Gaussian beam via synthetic turbulence masks. The technique, based on the extension of Rayleigh Sommerfeld integral and an accurate multi-layer optical turbulence model, provides an effective way to analyze the optical beam along its propagation path. In this regard, the implementation of an efficient turbulence propagator based on Beam Propagation Method (BPM) enables a complete description of the turbulence-related effects on the received optical wavefront. Moreover, the propagator will enable several post-processing analyses, ranging from quick estimations of the received optical power to complex single mode-fiber (SMF) coupling performance simulation.