As one of most important simulation methods,hot air convection atmospheric turbulence simulator has been widely used in many area.However,there is rarely study on the spectral characteristics and probability density characteristics of the simulated turbulence.A long-term measurement is made in a real link under 1 km and 6 km atmospheric environment,and a simulate link by using the same laser emission device and measuring device.The detailed analysis of the spectral characteristics and the probability density fluctuations characteristics of the simulator are done.The experimental results show that compared with the real atmosphere,the spectral characteristics and the probability density fluctuations characteristics of scintillation generated by the convection atmospheric turbulence simulator are well agreed to the real atmosphere.For angle-of-arrival,the spectral characteristics and the probability density fluctuations characteristics are well agreed to the real atmosphere on y axis.But on x axis,because of the lack of crosswind,the spectral characteristics is different from real atmosphere.For probability density fluctuations characteristics,there is no obvious pattern.