Abstract
5G networks have to offer extremely high capacity for novel streaming applications. One of the most promising approaches is to embed large numbers of cooperating small cells into the macro-cell coverage area. Alternatively, optical wireless based technologies can be adopted as an alternative physical layer offering higher data rates. Visible light communications (VLC) is an emerging technology for future high capacity communication links (it has been accepted to 5GPP) in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum (~370–780 nm) utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) simultaneously provide data transmission and room illumination. A major challenge in VLC is the LED modulation bandwidths, which are limited to a few MHz. However, myriad gigabit speed transmission links have already been demonstrated. Non line-of-sight (NLOS) optical wireless is resistant to blocking by people and obstacles and is capable of adapting its’ throughput according to the current channel state information. Concurrently, organic polymer LEDs (PLEDs) have become the focus of enormous attention for solid-state lighting applications due to their advantages over conventional white LEDs such as ultra-low costs, low heating temperature, mechanical flexibility and large photoactive areas when produced with wet processing methods. This paper discusses development of such VLC links with a view to implementing ubiquitous broadcasting networks featuring advanced modulation formats such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or carrier-less amplitude and phase modulation (CAP) in conjunction with equalization techniques. Finally, this paper will also summarize the results of the European project ICT COST IC1101 OPTICWISE (Optical Wireless Communications - An Emerging Technology) dealing VLC and OLEDs towards 5G networks.
Highlights
Indoor communication systems can offer a solution to all the above issues, such as mm-wave systems (3 to 300 GHz) or optical wireless communications such as Visible light communications (VLC), which is carried at 400–490 THz. 5G-VLC offers a number of small cells, referred to as attocells in the literature, in the indoor environment, enabling many advantages such as high capacity data transmission, excellent mobility and energy efficient management
This paper provides a wide overview of the VLC technology and summarizes its development and the state-of-the-art
The research and development in VLC at a global level has increased more than ten times for last two years
Summary
The worldwide growth in mobile data traffic has led to the development of new technologies for. HetNets include several small cells featuring low transmission power and small coverage area, enabling high cell density. Such a system configuration allows spectral reuse, improving the capacity of the wireless channel [2], [3], [4]. Indoor communication systems can offer a solution to all the above issues, such as mm-wave systems (3 to 300 GHz) or optical wireless communications such as VLC, which is carried at 400–490 THz. 5G-VLC offers a number of small cells, referred to as attocells in the literature, in the indoor environment, enabling many advantages such as high capacity data transmission, excellent mobility and energy efficient management. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section 2 describes the fundamental VLC principles with emphasis on inorganic and organic LEDs, Section 3 is focused on the modulation formats and in Section 4, perspective VLC applications are discussed
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