journal article·2025-02-13Open access

Novel Continuous-Time Markov Chain-Based Model for Performance Analysis of Hybrid Free Space Optics and Radio Frequency Communications

Vladimir Shakhov, Nikolai Shakhov, Insoo Koo

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 4

Abstract

This paper introduces a Markov-process-based model to analyze the performance of hybrid Free Space Optics and Radio Frequency communication systems. The proposed model captures the dynamic behavior of the link by representing the transitions between various operational states under changing environmental conditions. State probabilities are derived analytically, providing insight into the system’s reliability and efficiency within diverse scenarios. These probabilities can be employed to define and evaluate various performance metrics. This study examines the loss function associated with the suboptimal utilization of Free Space Optics when Radio Frequency is required and vice versa within hybrid Free Space Optics and Radio Frequency communication systems. A problem statement for optimizing system performance is proposed, and the corresponding solution is obtained. The results facilitate the identification of an optimal trade-off between the cost of switching configurations and communication efficiency. The findings provide a quantitative framework for designing adaptive hybrid communication systems that improve reliability and reduce communication disruptions.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Optical Wireless Communication Technologies · Satellite Communication Systems · Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, 93 Daehak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea

Faculty of Physical Engineering, Novosibirsk State Technical University, 630073 Novosibirsk, Russia

Funding

Ministry of Education

References (45)

Show source-provided references
1. Security and Privacy in the Internet of Things10.1109/MC.2018.2888765 ↗
2. Internet of Things: A Survey on Enabling Technologies, Protocols, and Applications10.1109/COMST.2015.2444095 ↗
3. Park, S. (2021). D-PARK: User-Centric Smart Parking System over BLE-Beacon Based Internet of Things. Electronics, 10.10.3390/electronics10050541 ↗
4. Shakhov, V., Materukhin, A., Sokolova, O., and Koo, I. (2022). Optimizing Urban Air Pollution Detection Systems. Sensors, 22.10.3390/s22134767 ↗
5. TTGN: Two-Tier Geographical Networking for Industrial Internet of Things with Edge-Based Cognitive Computing10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3153726 ↗
6. Real-Time Sensing and On-Site Spotting Scheme of Multi-Type WLAN Spycams10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3482429 ↗
7. Classification Framework for Free Space Optical Communication Links and Systems10.1109/COMST.2018.2876805 ↗
8. Molas, G., and Nowak, E. (2021). Advances in Emerging Memory Technologies: From Data Storage to Artificial Intelligence. Appl. Sci., 11.10.3390/app112311254 ↗
9. A survey on IEEE 802.11ah: An enabling networking technology for smart cities10.1016/j.comcom.2014.08.008 ↗
10. Park, H., and Park, S. (2024). Emerging Trends and Challenges in IoT Networks. Electronics, 13.10.3390/electronics13030513 ↗
11. Shakhov, V., and Migov, D. (2024). On the Reliability of Wireless Sensor Networks with Multiple Sinks. Sensors, 24.10.3390/s24175468 ↗
12. A Survey on Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing Mechanisms for Mobile Free-Space Optical Communications10.1109/COMST.2018.2804323 ↗
13. Emerging optical wireless communications-advances and challenges10.1109/JSAC.2015.2458511 ↗
14. Optical communication in space: Challenges and mitigation techniques10.1109/COMST.2016.2603518 ↗
15. Aboelala, O., Lee, I.E., and Chung, G.C. (2022). A Survey of Hybrid Free Space Optics (FSO) Communication Networks to Achieve 5G Connectivity for Backhauling. Entropy, 24.10.3390/e24111573 ↗
16. HAPS-based relaying for integrated space–air–ground networks with hybrid FSO/RF communication: A performance analysis10.1109/TAES.2021.3050663 ↗
17. Song, X., Wang, X., Li, X., Zhao, S., and Tian, Q. (2024). Secrecy Performance Analysis of Hybrid RF/FSO System under Different Eavesdropping Strategies. Photonics, 11.10.3390/photonics11100897 ↗
18. Finite-State Markov Modeling of Fading Channels—A Survey of Principles and Applications10.1109/MSP.2008.926683 ↗
19. Capacity of A Burst-Noise Channel10.1002/j.1538-7305.1960.tb03959.x ↗
20. Estimates of Error Rates for Codes on Burst-Noise Channels10.1002/j.1538-7305.1963.tb00955.x ↗
21. Making the Most of Sporadic Feedback: Low-Complexity Application Layer Coding for Data Recovery in the Internet of Things10.1109/TII.2022.3192966 ↗
22. A POMDP-Based Approach to Joint Antenna Selection and User Scheduling for Multi-User Massive MIMO Communication10.1109/TCOMM.2022.3227304 ↗
23. Resource Allocation in 5G Platoon Communication: Modeling, Analysis and Optimization10.1109/TVT.2022.3223351 ↗
24. Error and Congestion Resilient Video Streaming over Broadband Wireless10.3390/computers4020113 ↗
25. Shakhov, V., and Koo, I. (2021). An Efficient Clustering Protocol for Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks. Electronics, 10.10.3390/electronics10010084 ↗
26. Line-of-Sight Probability and Holding Distance in Non-Terrestrial Networks10.1109/LCOMM.2024.3357285 ↗
27. Transmission Performance Analysis of Free-Space Optical Communications using Gilbert-Erasure Channel10.1109/TCOMM.2011.100511.090237 ↗
28. Switching-based cooperative decode-and-forward relaying for hybrid FSO/RF networks10.1364/JOCN.11.000267 ↗
29. Performance Analysis of Hybrid FSO Systems Using FSO/RF-FSO Link Adaptation10.1109/JPHOT.2018.2837356 ↗
30. Khalid, H., Muhammad, S.S., Nistazakis, H.E., and Tombras, G.S. (2019). Performance Analysis of Hard-Switching Based Hybrid FSO/RF System over Turbulence Channels. Computation, 7.10.3390/computation7020028 ↗
31. Gradshteyn, I.S., and Ryzhik, I.M. (2000). Tables of Integrals, Series and Products, Academic Press. [6th ed.].
32. Dynamic Propagation Channel Characterization and Modeling for Human Body Communication10.3390/s121217569 ↗
33. Optimizing Non-Terrestrial Hybrid RF/FSO Links with Reinforcement Learning: Navigating Through Clouds10.1109/OJCOMS.2025.3527878 ↗
34. Alathwary, W., and Altubaishi, E. (2025). An Integral of Fox’s H-functions With Application to the Performance of Hybrid FSO/RF Systems Over Generalized Fading Channels. IEEE Open J. Commun. Soc., early access.10.1109/OJCOMS.2025.3534317 ↗
35. Rani, R., Jayanthi, N., and Mandpura, A. (2025). Power Allocation & CAR Optimization in Multiuser Dual-hop RF/FSO DF Relaying Systems with Channel Estimation Error. IEEE Trans. Green Commun. Netw.10.1109/TGCN.2025.3535523 ↗
36. Parzen, E. (1962). Stochastic Processes, Holden-Day. Holden-Day Series in Probability and Statistics.
37. Hybrid FSO/RF System Using Intelligent Power Control and Link Switching10.1109/LPT.2021.3076467 ↗
38. Shao, J., Liu, Y., Du, X., and Xie, T. (2024). Adaptive Modulation Scheme for Soft-Switching Hybrid FSO/RF Links Based on Machine Learning. Photonics, 11.10.3390/photonics11050404 ↗
39. Yoon, S.-S., Shin, H., Heo, J.-Y., and Choi, K.-B. (2023). Assessment of Deep Learning-Based Nowcasting Using Weather Radar in South Korea. Remote Sens., 15.10.3390/rs15215197 ↗
40. Designing the air–ground data links for future air traffic control communications10.1109/TAES.2018.2849178 ↗
41. Link-Layer Retransmission-Based Error-Control Protocols in FSO Communications: A Survey10.1109/COMST.2022.3175509 ↗
42. Wu, Y., Chen, J., Guo, J., Li, G., and Kong, D. (2022). Performance Analysis of a Multi-Hop Parallel Hybrid FSO/RF System over a Gamma–Gamma Turbulence Channel with Pointing Errors and a Nakagami-m Fading Channel. Photonics, 9.10.3390/photonics9090631 ↗
43. Toward Reliability of Long Wireless Sensor Networks10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3454367 ↗
44. Villordo-Jimenez, I., Torres-Cruz, N., Menchaca-Mendez, R., and Rivero-Angeles, M.E. (2024). Distance-Based Queuing for Scalable and Reliable Linear Wireless Sensor Networks in Smart Cities. Sensors, 24.10.3390/s24072023 ↗
45. Shakhov, V., and Koo, I. (2018). Depletion-of-Battery Attack: Specificity, Modelling and Analysis. Sensors, 18.10.3390/s18061849 ↗