In this paper, we propose a novel switching scheme for hybrid free-space optical (FSO)/radio frequency (RF) system with selective decode-and-forward (DF) relay network. Specifically, the system transmits over FSO channels when the instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the FSO receiver is greater than the threshold SNR. If the SNR drops below the threshold, the system switches its transmission over RF channels. The exact outage probability and average symbol error rate (SER) expressions are derived for selective DF relay network with maximal ratio combining (MRC) assumed at the destination. In addition, the asymptotic outage and SER expressions with lower computational complexity are derived and the diversity order is determined. The optimum value of threshold SNR, which satisfies target SER, has been calculated numerically for the proposed switching scheme. The theoretical results, which are validated by Monte-carlo simulations, show that the proposed switching scheme for cooperative hybrid FSO/RF system drastically improves the performance compared to that of single hop (SH) switching-based hybrid FSO/RF and cooperative FSO systems.

Channel encoder, which includes a forward error correcting (FEC) code followed by an interleaver, plays a vital role in improving the error performance of digital storage and communication systems. In most of the applications, the FEC code and interleaver parameters are known at the receiver to decode and de-interleave the information bits, respectively. But the blind/semi-blind estimation of code and interleaver parameters at the receiver will provide additional advantages in applications such as adaptive modulation and coding, cognitive radio, non-cooperative systems, etc. The algorithms for the blind estimation of code parameters at the receiver had previously been proposed and investigated for known FEC codes. In this paper, we propose algorithms for the joint recognition of the type of FEC codes and interleaver parameters without knowing any information about the channel encoder. The proposed algorithm classify the incoming data symbols among block coded, convolutional coded, and uncoded symbols. Further, we suggest analytical and histogram approaches for setting the threshold value to perform code classification and parameter estimation. It is observed from the simulation results that the code classification and interleaver parameter estimation are performed successfully over erroneous channel conditions. The proposed histogram approach is more robust against the analytical approach for noisy transmission environment and system latency is one of the important challenges for the histogram approach to achieve better performance.

Blind estimation of code and interleaver parameters is useful in smart storage systems and ubiquitous communication applications such as adaptive modulation and coding, reconfigurable radio systems, non-cooperative radio systems, etc. In this paper, we analyze Reed-Solomon (RS) encoded data stream and propose blind estimation algorithms to identify RS code parameters. We also provide algorithms to estimate block interleaver parameters from RS coded and block interleaved data stream. In addition, synchronization compensation through appropriate bit/symbol positioning is integrated with the proposed code and interleaver parameter estimation algorithms. Simulation results validating the proposed algorithms are given for various test cases involving both erroneous and non-erroneous scenarios. Moreover, the accuracy of estimation of RS code and block interleaver parameters are also given with detailed inferences for different modulation schemes, codeword length, and code dimension values. It has been inferred that the accuracy of parameter estimation improves with decrease in code dimension and codeword length values of RS codes. Further, the accuracy of estimation of lower modulation order schemes is better when compared to higher modulation order schemes as expected. It has also been noted that the proposed code and interleaver parameter estimation algorithms for noisy environment consistently outperform the algorithms proposed in the prior works.

The performance of a free space optics (FSO) transmission suffers from the atmospheric turbulence and the attenuation in foggy environment. By employing relay nodes, the error rate and the coverage area of the FSO communication system can be significantly improved. However, the pointing errors, generated because of the building sway, have the potential to eradicate the benefits of the relay-based FSO communication system. The effect of pointing errors in the presence of Gamma Gamma atmospheric fading together with path loss attenuation is considered in this paper. To counteract the adverse affects of the FSO link, a reliable millimeter-wave radio frequency (MMW RF) link is used as a backup. In this context, this paper proposes a cooperative decode-and-forward (DF)-relaying-based hybrid FSO/RF system with maximal-ratio-combining (MRC) at the destination. The system consists of FSO and RF sub-systems, where FSO sub-system has the priority to transmit and RF sub-system serves as a back up when the FSO sub-system is in outage. The exact and asymptotic outage probability and average symbol error rate (SER) expressions for the proposed system are derived in closed-form and the diversity order is determined. The effect of pointing errors on the system performance is analyzed extensively. The optimum values of transmit beam waist and radius of receiver aperture are determined. The theoretical results, which are validated by Monte-Carlo simulations, show that the proposed cooperative hybrid FSO/RF system drastically improves the system performance compared to single hop (SH) hybrid FSO/RF and cooperative FSO systems especially for large pointing errors scenario.INDEX TERMS Hybrid FSO/RF systems, decode-and-forward relaying, pointing errors, gamma-gamma distribution, maximal-ratio-combining.

Free space optics (FSO) communication has garnered significant importance to provide gigabit capacity links owing to its unique features. However, its performance is limited by the adverse effects of transmission medium such as atmospheric turbulence induced fading, wind, etc. Therefore, it is wise to backup with reliable radio frequency (RF) links to improve the performance of FSO communication. The fusion of FSO and RF technologies is a suitable candidate for future satellite communication (SATCOM) systems. In this context, the present paper proposes a novel system model for High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)-based relaying for downlink scenario utilizing both FSO and RF links. The performance of the proposed hybrid FSO/RF SATCOM system is investigated through average and asymptotic symbol error probability (SEP) analyses. Further, the obtained closed-form expressions for average SEP are validated using Monte-Carlo simulation results.

In recent years, a growing interest has been witnessed in the usage of free space optics (FSO) link for satellite communication (SATCOM) scenarios, as it offers much higher data rates up to gigabits per second (Gbps) compared to existing radio frequency (RF) link. However, FSO links are sensitive to beam scintillation and pointing errors. In this paper, we consider a hybrid FSO/RF communication between ground station (GS) and satellite, where the RF link will act as a backup link to improve the reliability of FSO communication. In addition, we also consider high-altitude platform station (HAPS), which will act as a relay station, between GS and satellite to improve the end-to-end system performance. This has led to the development of space-air-ground integrated hybrid FSO/RF SATCOM networks. We analyse the performance of the proposed hybrid network considering an adaptive-combining-based switching scheme for both uplink and downlink scenarios with and without using HAPS as a relay station. In case of adaptivecombining-based switching scheme, the data is continuously transmitted over the FSO link, while maximalratio-combining (MRC) of RF and FSO links is performed when the quality of FSO link deteriorates. The performance analysis of adaptive-combining-based switching scheme in terms of outage and average symbol error rate (SER) is carried out and the same is compared with the single-link FSO SATCOM and single-threshold-based switching scheme proposed in the literature for hybrid FSO/RF SATCOM. In addition, the performance gain obtained by the proposed adaptive combining scheme over single-link FSO system for different channel conditions is also reported. Further, the asymptotic analysis is also carried out to obtain the diversity gain of the proposed system.INDEX TERMS Adaptive combining, free space optics, high-altitude platform station (HAPS), hybrid FSO/RF, performance analysis.

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