A review of the information capacity of single-mode free-space optical communication
Baris I. Erkmen, Bruce E. Moision, Kevin M. Birnbaum
We provide a summary of the classical information capacity of single-mode free-space optical communication for pure-loss channels. We compare the capacities afforded by structured transmitters and receivers to that of the ultimate communication capacity dictated by the quantum nature of light, and we draw the following conclusions. The ultimate capacity can be achieved with classical coherent states (i.e., ideal laser light), but the capacity-achieving receiver (measurement) is yet to be determined. In photon-starved pure-loss channels, binary phase modulation in combination with the optimal receiver is near-capacity achieving, and more importantly, it is superior to on-off keying with either the optimal receiver (as yet to be determined) or with a photon-counter. Heterodyne detection approaches the ultimate capacity at high mean photon numbers.
Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 11, 2010•11 citations