Design and Optimization of an FSO Network Under Practical Considerations

This study investigates the design and optimization of a free-space optical (FSO) wireless communication network employing high-altitude platforms (HAPs). The objective is to explore the parameters that affect the quality and viability of such a network and to develop a method for minimizing installation costs while maximizing performance. The methodology includes clustering ground nodes using the k-means algorithm and adjusting the emission solid angles for each HAP. Furthermore, to more closely reflect real-world conditions, our analytical investigations also consider the effects of atmospheric turbulence. The network’s performance is evaluated under both daytime and nighttime operational scenarios, taking into account background noise and the layered effects of atmospheric turbulence. These considerations ensure that the results presented in this paper more accurately reflect real-world conditions. The results demonstrate significant performance gains through appropriate parameter selection. Additionally, deploying multiple HAPs enhances network flexibility and resilience. It was shown that in certain scenarios specific combinations of per-HAP configurations offer more than a 70% increase in throughput with a small increase in the cost. The paper’s insights fill an important gap between theoretical FSO network models and the practical design considerations needed for real deployments.