Experimental characterization of intensity scintillation in the LEO downlink

Abstract

The paper addresses the experimental investigation of intensity scintillation for characterization of optical Low Earth Orbit-ground communications. In the framework of a former measurement campaign in 2006 and 2009, recordings of intensity scintillation were taken using a pupil plane camera. These recordings are analyzed and intensity scintillation index and correlation width are derived for seven satellite passes. Mean values of the measurements are created and compared to common theory. The mean of correlation width coincides well with the theoretical model. The intensity scintillation index shows deviation in the focusing regime but agreement otherwise.