Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication uses light radiation to transmit data wirelessly. Despite their enormous advantages, such as high bandwidth and low latency, wireless optical systems are sensitive to atmospheric conditions such as rain, fog, and snow. Therefore, in-depth analysis of light propagation in the atmosphere is necessary. In this work, analytical solutions for the diffusion of LED radiation in the atmosphere based on scattering theory were studied, comparing the results with numerical simulations based on the Monte Carlo method. The results show that in cloudy atmospheres, analytical solutions tend to underestimate the receiver power by not considering the contribution of forward scattering. Thus demonstrating the importance of numerical simulations for the characterization of FSO systems.
Satta, G., Leccese, F. (2026). Atmospheric Optical Propagation Analysis: A Comparison between Analytical Models and Monte Carlo Simulations for FSO and LED Systems. In Conference Proceedings - 2026 IEEE 13th International Workshop on Metrology for AeroSpace, MetroAeroSpace 2026 (pp.482-487). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. [10.1109/MetroAeroSpace69299.2026.11646790].
Atmospheric Optical Propagation Analysis: A Comparison between Analytical Models and Monte Carlo Simulations for FSO and LED Systems
Satta G.Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Leccese F.
Writing – Review & Editing
2026-01-01
Abstract
Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication uses light radiation to transmit data wirelessly. Despite their enormous advantages, such as high bandwidth and low latency, wireless optical systems are sensitive to atmospheric conditions such as rain, fog, and snow. Therefore, in-depth analysis of light propagation in the atmosphere is necessary. In this work, analytical solutions for the diffusion of LED radiation in the atmosphere based on scattering theory were studied, comparing the results with numerical simulations based on the Monte Carlo method. The results show that in cloudy atmospheres, analytical solutions tend to underestimate the receiver power by not considering the contribution of forward scattering. Thus demonstrating the importance of numerical simulations for the characterization of FSO systems.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
