Unveiling the Evolution of Optical Wireless Communication

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Optical Wireless Communication: Types and Evolution
   • Indoor OWC
     • Link Configurations
   • Outdoor OWC
3. Advantages of Optical Wireless Communication
4. Applications of Optical Wireless Communication
5. Types of Optical Wireless Communication
   • Ultra Short-Range OWC
   • Short-Range OWC
   • Medium Range OWC
   • Long-Range OWC
   • Ultra Long Range OWC
6. Main OWC Technologies
   • Free Space Optical Communications
   • Visible Light Communications
   • Optical Camera Communications
   • Wireless Network with Light (Li-Fi)
7. Current Research and Developments in OWC
   • Integration of Li-Fi with Cognitive Radio
   • Optical Camera Communication (OCC)
8. Conclusion
9. References

Optical Wireless Communication: Types and Evolution

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a form of optical communication that utilizes unguided visible, IR, or ultraviolet light to carry signals. It has gained significant Attention in recent years due to its unique features and potential for high-speed broadband connections. In this article, we will explore the different types of OWC, its advantages over RF technologies, and its applications in various industries.

Indoor OWC

Indoor OWC is primarily used for activities within indoor environments. These devices, along with their drive circuits, are cost-effective compared to radio frequency (RF) equipment or existing copper cables. One of the key advantages of indoor OWC is its inherent security. Unlike electromagnetic waves used in Wi-Fi signals, optical signals do not easily penetrate walls, making OWC more secure against hackers. There are different link configurations for indoor OWC, including directed line-of-sight, non-directed line-of-sight, diffusion link, and multi-Beam Quasi-diffused link.

Outdoor OWC

Outdoor OWC, also known as free space optics, requires a direct line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. It utilizes the atmospheric Channel to propagate information from one point to another. This Type of OWC is not dependent on optic fibers or cables, making it suitable for ground-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground optical links. However, atmospheric conditions such as clouds, smog, or fog can obstruct the optical waves, affecting signal quality.

Advantages of Optical Wireless Communication

OWC offers several advantages over generic RF technologies. It provides extremely high bandwidth, ease of deployment, and a free bandwidth allocation. OWC also consumes less power, has a smaller size compared to RF systems, and offers improved channel security. These advantages make it a promising commercial alternative to existing RF communication methods. OWC is capable of transmitting data up to 10 Gbps and enables voice and video communication through the atmosphere or free space.

Applications of Optical Wireless Communication

OWC has a wide range of applications across various industries. It is used in wireless body area networks, wireless personal area networks, wireless local area networks, inter-vehicular communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, terrestrial communication between buildings, and ground-satellite/satellite-ground communication. Its high-speed capabilities make it suitable for applications that require real-time data transmission, such as video streaming, teleconferencing, and IoT devices.

Types of Optical Wireless Communication

There are five main types of OWC Based on transmission range:

1. Ultra Short-Range OWC: Used for chip-to-chip communication.
2. Short-Range OWC: Used in wireless body area networks or wireless personal area networks.
3. Medium Range OWC: Used in indoor IR or visible light communications for wireless LANs and inter-vehicular and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications.
4. Long-Range OWC: Used in terrestrial communication between buildings or metro area extensions.
5. Ultra Long-Range OWC: Used in ground-satellite or satellite-ground communications.

Each type of OWC serves specific applications and comes with its own advantages and limitations.

Main OWC Technologies

The main OWC technologies include:

• Free Space Optical Communications: Utilizes visible light for communication between devices or networks.
• Visible Light Communications: Also known as Light Fidelity (Li-Fi), it uses LED light sources to transmit data.
• Optical Camera Communications: Employs cameras at the receiver to capture intensity modulated light sources, providing a wider range of applications.
• Wireless Network with Light: Utilizes light-based wireless communication technology to provide high-speed connectivity in areas with limited RF spectrum.

These technologies play a crucial role in advancing optical wireless communication and enabling faster and more reliable wireless connections.

Current Research and Developments in OWC

In the field of OWC, ongoing research is focused on further improving the technology. Two noteworthy research areas include the integration of Li-Fi with cognitive radio and the development of Optical Camera Communication (OCC).

The integration of Li-Fi with cognitive radio aims to address the issue of insufficient spectrum availability during heavy traffic loads. By utilizing the optical spectrum when RF bands are fully utilized, secondary users can access seamless communication.

OCC, on the other HAND, explores the potential of using existing camera setups in mobile devices and LED fixtures for OWC. By capturing intensity modulated light sources through cameras and employing image processing techniques, OCC enables indoor and outdoor applications with a wide range of devices.

Conclusion

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a promising field that offers significant advantages over RF technologies. Its high bandwidth, ease of deployment, improved security, and suitability for various applications make it a viable alternative for wireless communication. With ongoing research and development efforts, OWC is expected to Continue progressing, revolutionizing the wireless market.

References

• William, "Optical Camera Communication Principle, Modulations, Potential, and Challenges."
• Hemani Kosher, VK Jain, Subrat, "Course Overview: Wireless Optical Communication Systems."
• Harold, Jeffery L., McGhani Iron, White, "Optical Wireless Communication."