High capacity data rate system: Review of visible light communications technology

Abstract

Wireless communications have become an integral part of global convergence as global connectedness has gradually become dependent on its efficient deployment. The need for “more-broadband” techniques in relation to the ever increasing growth rate of the data hungry society now necessitates novel techniques for the high-speed data transmission. While advancements have been made in this regard, the projection of having an eventual Internet of everything (IoE) deployment will result in an unimaginable transmission data rate requirement as huge data traffic will be conveyed per time within the communications network, which will require a capacity upgrade of the existing infrastructure. Visible light communications (VLCs), as an integral part of optical wireless communications (OWCs), have been reviewed in this article, having the capacity to extend the achievable data rate requirement of the wireless communications network. The technologies, techniques, and best practices have been presented alongside technology integration for the seamless high capacity wireless broadband deployment.

Keywords

• Channel equalization
• Heterogeneous network (HetNet)
• Light-fidelity (Li-Fi)
• Propagation link
• Visible light communications (VLCs)
• Wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi)