Fade Time Statistics of Laser Light Propagating Through Turbulent Atmosphere

The average fade time of the fluctuations in the intensity of laser light propagation in the atmosphere is analyzed. Experimental results show that the average fade time for a propagation distance of 208 meters, in the weak turbulence regime, is well described by formulas developed from a Log-Normal distribution. A circuit that calculates real time statistics of fade time is designed, then validated using a sine wave input whose fade time statistics are predetermined. The experimental signal is then tested for stationarity, and the average fade time is measured. A curve fitting is then performed for the experimental data and compared theoretical results