Effects of atmospheric turbulence and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces on near terrestrial optical link for internet of things

Abstract

Near terrestrial free-space optical (NT-FSO) communication refers to the use of light to transmit data wirelessly through the atmosphere over relatively short distances, typically within the earth’s atmosphere. It is an alternative to traditional radio frequency (RF) communication and fiber optics, providing high-speed data transmission without the need for physical cables. NT-FSO is an attractive solution for high-speed, short-distance wireless communications where physical infrastructure like fiber is impractical. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) are a cutting-edge technology that enhances wireless communication systems by dynamically controlling how electromagnetic waves propagate through an environment. RIS technology is increasingly relevant in modern communication systems like 5G and beyond, aiming to improve the efficiency, coverage, and energy usage of wireless networks. This study investigates the effects of atmospheric turbulence and RIS on near terrestrial optical link for internet of things. Several numerical outcomes obtained for different link distance and average electrical signal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are shown to quantitatively illustrate the average spectral efficiency.