Bayesian and frequentist estimation of the performance of free space optical channels under weak turbulence conditions

Approximate mathematical form expressions were derived for the estimation of the average (ergodic) capacity and the average bit error rate of a log-normal free space optical channel in the cases of weak to moderate atmospheric turbulence conditions. We investigate the average capacity, the average bit error rate and the outage probability of free space optical communication channels using the frequentist and the Bayesian approach. Emphasis is given on the cases of weak to moderate atmospheric turbulence leading to channels modeled by log-normal distributed intensity fading. Furthermore, accurate approximate closed-form expressions and estimation procedures for their achievable capacity as well as their bit error rate and the important parameters of interest are derived. The derived approximate analytical expressions are verified by various numerical examples and simulations. Moreover, each methodology is reviewed in terms of their analytic convenience and their accuracy is also discussed.