Abstract
In this paper, we set up the statistical channel model of ship-to-ship (or ship-to-shore) free space optical links considering generalized pointing error and weak turbulence. We combine various pointing error models with weak turbulence and derive the composite probability density functions (PDF) for each case of pointing error model. Also, using the similarity of the composite PDFs, we obtain a unified expression for the composite PDF. Furthermore, we conduct error rate analysis based on both intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) and heterodyne detection (HD). At last, the numerical results confirm that the derived average error rate gives precise prediction on error rate.