Average bit error rate analysis for free-space optical communications over weak turbulence with pointing errors

We address the average bit error rate (BER) performance of free-space optical communications over weak turbulence channel with pointing errors. With atmospheric attenuation, turbulence, and pointing errors, we present a statistical model for the optical intensity fluctuation at the receiver. The average BER performance is analyzed in the channel environment and a closed-form expression is obtained. The simulation results indicate that the derived closed-form expression matches with the simulation results.