Channel models for optical space communication are vital to design and manage optical satellite links, especially for ground-space communication through the atmosphere. There is an identified need among a number of partner organisations of SmartSat for accurate and reliable channel models.

The aim of this project is to scope the current research literature and current practice in channel modelling to form the basis for future optical channel modelling projects to provide theoretical and practical resources to support the high-speed, high reliability and highly adaptable communication capabilities needed for advanced applications.

The scope of the project, including stage two, would consider link impairments such as turbulence, pointing error, aperture effects and various forms of shadowing and be incorporating techniques such as
adaptive optics, phase stabilisation and diversity with the goal of developing models as mathematically tractable as possible and simulation and numerical techniques to enable models to be applicable
to as wide a range of scenarios as possible. Models will be validated using data as realistic whenever possible.