SCOPTSCOPT Inc.
Simulation software

AOTA — Atmospheric Optical Turbulence Analyzer

AOTA (Atmospheric Optical Turbulence Analyzer) is a standalone Windows desktop application developed by SCOPT Inc. for simulating the effects of atmospheric optical turbulence on l

Overview

AOTA (Atmospheric Optical Turbulence Analyzer) is a standalone Windows desktop application developed by SCOPT Inc. for simulating the effects of atmospheric optical turbulence on laser beam propagation. It computes key channel quality metrics — scintillation index, wave structure function, phase structure function, coherence length, and slant-path scintillation variance — across a range of atmospheric turbulence conditions and link geometries. The tool supports both horizontal and slant-path (uplink/downlink) propagation, making it suitable for analyzing free-space optical (FSO) communication links, ground-to-satellite/aerial links, imaging systems, and laser sensing platforms operating in turbulent atmospheric environments. It is aimed at researchers, system designers, and engineers who require rigorous, physics-based turbulence channel characterization without writing simulation code.

Note: Delivered as a compiled Windows executable (.exe). Python source code is not provided.

Note: This software is delivered as a standalone .exe file (no source code provided). Requires MATLAB Runtime (MCR) for execution.

Key features

  • Multiple Simulation Modes: Five dedicated analysis tabs — Scintillation Index ( I ), Wave Structure Function D( ), Phase Structure Function D ( ), Coherence Length ( ₀), and Slant-Path Scintillation ( B ) — each with independent parameter control and sweep capability.
  • Multiple Turbulence Spectrum Models: Kolmogorov, Tatarskii, von K rm n, and Modified Atmospheric spectra, plus generalized Non-Kolmogorov and Non-Kolmogorov (Inner/Outer Scale) power-law models with user-defined exponent (3 < < 4).
  • Comprehensive Beam Support: Plane wave, spherical wave, and Gaussian beam with configurable beam waist and phase-front radius (collimated or focused).
  • Weak and Strong Scintillation Regimes: Extended Rytov theory for saturation-regime turbulence; aperture averaging for both point receivers and finite-aperture collecting optics.
  • Slant-Path Propagation: Uplink and downlink geometry with altitude-varying turbulence profiles driven by the Hufnagel-Valley model, ground-level Cn2, wind speed, and zenith angle.
  • Parametric Sweeps: Sweep over propagation distance (L), refractive-index structure parameter (Cn2), inner scale (l₀), outer scale (L₀), transverse separation ( ), aperture diameter (DG), zenith angle, or altitude on linear or logarithmic axes with user-defined range and resolution.
  • Interactive Plot Workspace: Multi-curve overlay on a single plot, light/dark theme toggle, legend hover popup showing the full parameter set, curve renaming by double-click, interactive line selection, and a statistics dialog.
  • Flexible Export: Save plots as PNG, SVG, or PDF; export raw numerical data as CSV or MATLAB .mat files for post-processing.

Use cases

  • Design of FSO Links: Predict turbulence-induced scintillation, coherence degradation, and wave/phase structure distortion for terrestrial and aerial free-space optical communication links under realistic atmospheric conditions.
  • Ground-to-Air / Ground-to-Satellite Links: Assess link reliability for uplink and downlink optical communication through altitude-varying turbulence using Hufnagel-Valley profiles and slant-path geometry.
  • Laser Sensing and Imaging: Evaluate coherence length and phase structure function limits for high-resolution optical imaging, LIDAR, and remote-sensing payloads operating through turbulent air.
  • UAV and Aerial Platform Links: Model laser-based navigation and communication system reliability for platforms operating at varying altitudes and zenith angles through dynamic atmospheric turbulence.
  • Defense and Surveillance Applications: Quantify signal distortion and link margin degradation for directional optical communication or surveillance systems operating in variable atmospheric environments.
  • Academic Research: Investigate atmospheric optical turbulence physics using Kolmogorov, von K rm n, Modified Atmospheric, and Non-Kolmogorov spectral models, reproduce published results, and explore parameter sensitivity across Cn2, inner/outer scale, and exponent regimes.

System requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Software Dependencies: No external software required — delivered as a self-contained compiled executable (.exe); no Python installation needed
  • Disk Space: Approximately 150 MB