Short-range optical wireless communications for indoor and interconnects applications

Abstract

Optical wireless communications have been widely studied during the past decade in short⁃range applications, such as indoor high⁃ speed wireless networks and interconnects in data centers and high⁃performance computing. In this paper, recent developments in high⁃speed short⁃range optical wireless communications are reviewed, including visible light communications (VLCs), infrared in-door communication systems, and reconfigurable optical interconnects. The general architecture of indoor high⁃speed optical wire⁃ less communications is described, and the advantages and limitations of both visible and infrared based solutions are discussed. The concept of reconfigurable optical interconnects is presented, and key results are summarized. In addition, the challenges and potential future directions of short⁃range optical wireless communications are discussed.