To estimate the probability distributions of power fades, we consider two basic types of disturbance in electromagnetic wave propagation through atmospheric turbulence: wave-front intensity fluctuations and wave-front distortion. We assess the reduction in the cumulative probability of losses caused by these two effects through spatial diversity by using a multiaperture receiver configuration. Degradations in receiver performance are determined with fractal techniques used to simulate the turbulence-induced wave-front phase distortion, and a log normal model is assumed for the collected power fluctuations. © 1997 Optical Society of America

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