Probability density of irradiance for electromagnetic waves propagating under multiple scattering effects: Application to deep space communications

Abstract

Summary Electromagnetic waves propagating in random mediums are susceptible to attenuation and fading effects. Therefore, to asses systems performances, it is required to determine the field intensity distribution. Extensive researches were carried out under the assumption of weak fluctuations conditions, in which case the Born and Rytov solutions are valid, and it is fairly established that the resultant distributions agree well with experimental data. In particular, the Rician distribution was shown to fit measurements data from a spacecraft in the event of solar superior conjunction. However, the problem under strong fluctuations is more challenging. In this case, multiple scattering effects need to be included. Numerous atmospheric‐based distributions were introduced, but similar results for deep space communications are still scarce. In this paper, by considering double scattering processes, a novel intensity distribution model is introduced which agrees with the Rician distribution under weak fluctuations and which extends to strong fluctuations conditions. Moreover, the distribution is considered for the applications of deep space communications.