BER performance of coded free-space optical links over strong turbulence channels

Error control coding can be used over free-space optical (FSO) links to mitigate turbulence-induced fading. We derive error performance bounds for coded FSO communication systems operating over atmospheric turbulence channels, which are modeled as a K-distribution under strong turbulence conditions. We derive an upper bound on the pairwise error probability (PEP) in closed form and then apply the transfer function technique, in conjunction with the derived bound for PEP, to obtain upper bounds on the bit error rate. Simulation results are further demonstrated to confirm the analytical results.