Bit-error-rate performance of non-line-of-sight UV transmission with spatial diversity reception.

In non-line-of-sight (NLOS) UV communication links using intensity modulation with direct detection, atmospheric turbulence-induced intensity fluctuations can significantly impair link performance. To mitigate turbulence-induced fading and, therefore, to improve the bit error rate (BER) performance, spatial diversity reception can be used over NLOS UV links, which involves the deployment of multiple receivers. The maximum-likelihood (ML) spatial diversity scheme is derived for spatially correlated NLOS UV links, and the influence of various fading correlation at different receivers on the BER performance is investigated. For the dual-receiver case, ML diversity detection is compared with equal gain combining and optimal combining schemes under different turbulence intensity conditions.