On the probability distribution of line‐of‐sight fluctuations of optical signals

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Abstract
In this paper some general problems concerning the probability distribution of an optical signal propagated over a line‐of‐sight path are discussed. The basic physical models for the log‐normal and Rice‐Nakagami probability distributions are given, and various theoretical methods for finding the distribution are discussed, including application of the central‐limit theorem, calculating moments, finding the characteristic functional, and trial and error. The not‐well‐known fact that the log‐normal distribution is not uniquely determined by its moments is pointed out. A summary of the present theoretical and experimental work is given. In addition, some different methods of experimental analysis are suggested, including the use of hypothesis testing and goodness‐of‐fit tests. These methods should permit better presentation of information on probability distributions.

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