Puncturing optimization algorithm and its applications in free space communications

Radio frequency (RF) spectrum is already crowded and expensive to install new broadband channels. Free space optical (FSO) communication is an emerging technology which offers enormous bandwidth, low cost installation setup and highly secure link. But FSO link deteriorates significantly due to scintillation and weather conditions (fog/cloud). Hybrid FSO/RF communication system with independent coding scheme was suggested to combat fading effects of the individual communication system. We propose hybrid FSO/RF communication system with joint coding scheme and implement the puncturing optimization algorithm (POA) which adaptively tackle fading effects of the individual communication system. The proposed algorithm gives better performance gain over the fixed system and provide optimized puncturing fractions in a flexible fashion for a given channel condition.