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arXiv · 2507.20908

Probabilistic Link Budget Analysis for Low Earth Orbit Satellites in the Optical Regime

Dhruv Shivkant·Shreyaans Jain·Rohit K Ramakrishnan
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Abstract

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) optical satellite communication systems face performance challenges due to atmospheric effects such as scintillation, turbulence, wavefront distortion, beam spread, and jitter. This paper presents a comprehensive mathematical model to characterize these effects and their impact on signal propagation. We develop a methodology for dynamically calculating link budgets at any location and time by integrating these models into a probabilistic framework. The approach accounts for spatial and temporal variations in atmospheric conditions, enabling accurate estimation of link loss probabilities. Simulations validate the model's accuracy and applicability to real-world LEO satellite systems. This work offers a robust tool for optimizing link performance and enhancing the reliability of satellite networks, providing valuable insights for system designers and operators.

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Dhruv Shivkant, Shreyaans Jain, Rohit K Ramakrishnan. 2025-07-28. Probabilistic Link Budget Analysis for Low Earth Orbit Satellites in the Optical Regime. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.20908

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