Performance optimization of free-space optical communication protocols based on results from FSO demonstrations

Abstract

The mobile free-space optical channel mainly suffers from relatively long link outages, produced by short-term blockings of the line-of-sight (obstacles, clouds), pointing- and tracking-errors or deep signal-fades caused by index of refraction turbulence effects. This paper discusses the applicability of commonly used communication protocols like UDP, TCP, ARQ and the SCPS-TP from the Space Communications Protocol Standards (SCPS) in various scenarios. The performance of the protocols in the selected scenarios is evaluated using the simulation software OMNeT++. The simulations are based on channel measurements from the three FSO demonstrations FASOLT (61 km Ground – Ground link), KIODO (LEO satellite downlink), and ATENAA (land-mobile link) and from ongoing measurements at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) (short-range Ground - Ground) as part of the MINERVAA project. Based on the simulation results, recommendations for protocols in free-space optical communication scenarios are given.