A hybrid next-generation passive optical network and visible light communication for future hospital applications

Abstract

The advancement in the latest healthcare technologies have shown a growing interest in 10/10 Gbps per channel hybrid next generation passive optical network (NG-PON) and visible light communication (VLC) networks to achieve the aim of future hospital applications. This paper investigates the use of hybrid time and wavelength division multiplexing PON (TWDM-PON), wavelength division multiplexing optical code division multiple access PON (WDM-OCDMA PON) using zero cross-correlation (ZCC) code and VLC for the hospitals scenario. The proposed bidirectional system is investigated for four TWDM, six WDM-OCDMA and three VLC information channels in terms of variable fiber length, bit rate, different OCDMA codes and multi-hospital systems. It is investigated that upstream channels performs better than downstream channels and provides the successful 10/10 Gbps hybrid system over 50 km fiber and 10 m VLC link serving 53 users in single hospital system. It also provides the high eye-height, optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) and received power. Moreover, the performance of the proposed system can be further enhanced by using modified quadratic congruence (MQC) code and high transmission power. Also the comparative analysis with existing systems show the superiority of the hybrid NG-PON/VLC system using fiber/wireless links over the conventional radio access networks in healthcare applications.