9 Bit Error Rate

Obviously, bit error rate (BER, the number of bit errors per unit time)
should be a function of signal-to-noise ratio. A small SNR should
produce a large BER and vice versa. Each modulation technique has its
own equation for BER, but it’s beyond the scope of this book to
describe them all. Since OOK is the most common method I’ll show it
first. It isxvii

(55)

where erfc is the complementary error function. Recall that SNR is the
power signal-to-noise ratio. If I had defined it in terms of voltage or
current, SNR would not be under the square root symbol.

I show BER versus SNR for OOK in the plot below.

A typical BER is 1E-6 and requires a SNR of about 90.

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 For phase-shift-key modulation, the quantum-limited bit error
rate is

(56)

. But, for differential phase shift key (DPSK)

xviii
modulation/demodulation, the quantum-limited bit error rate is

(57)

Note that the two equations above use an exponential function

rather than an error function. I show a plot of the last equation in the
next image.

Remember that this quantum-limited BER is the best you could ever
get. Your BER will, most likely, be much larger.

You can tolerate a relatively large BER if you use error detection
and correction methods. It adds complexity to your design but it allows
you to use a lower transmitted power.

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9.1 Example Calculations
What is the bit error rate for the previous example problem assuming
that BER is defined by Equation (55)?

or

or

. The BER is so small that it is essentially zero. That should not come
as a surprise since the SNR was so large. For this laser communication
system I’d recommend a significant reduction in laser output power or
a smaller transmitter output aperture. It’s overpowered and a smaller
output aperture would increase the size of the beam at the receiver and
reduce the amount of power entering the detector.

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