VLC-Based Networking: Feasibility and Challenges Articles uri icon

publication date

  • July 2020

start page

  • 158

end page

  • 165

issue

  • 4

volume

  • 34

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0890-8044

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1558-156X

abstract

  • VLC has emerged as a prominent technology to address the radio spectrum shortage. It is characterized by the unlicensed and unexploited high bandwidth, and provides the system with cost-effective advantages because of the dual-use of light bulbs for illumination and communication and the low complexity design. It is considered to be utilized in various telecommunication systems, including 5G, and represents the key technology for light-fidelity. To this end, VLC has to be integrated into the existing telecommunication networks. Therefore, its analysis as a network technology is momentous. In this article, we consider the feasibility of using VLC as a network technology and discuss the challenges related to the implementation of a VLC-based network, as well as the integration of VLC into existing conventional networks and its inclusion in standards.

subjects

  • Telecommunications

keywords

  • visible light communication; radio spectrum management; light sources; protocols; uplink; downlink; 5g mobile communication; free-space optical communication; radio spectrum management