Abstract
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and multiple-input single-output (MISO) schemes have yielded promising results in free space optical (FSO) communications by providing diversity against fading of the received signal intensity. In this article, we have analyzed the probability of error performance of a muliple-input single-output (MISO) free-space optical channel that employs array(s) of detectors at the receiver. In this regard, we have considered the maximal ratio combiner (MRC) and equal gain combiner (EGC) fusion algorithms for the array of detectors, and we have examined the performance of these algorithms subject to phase and pointing errors for strong atmospheric turbulence conditions. It is concluded that when the variance of the phase and pointing errors are below certain thresholds, signal combining with a single array of detectors yields significantly better performance than a multiple arrays receiver. In the final part of the paper, we examine the probability of error of the single detector array receiver as a function of the beam radius, and the probability of error is minimized by (numerically) optimizing the beam radius of the received signal beams.