Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring multiamplitude voltage modulation to improve spectrum efficiency in low-complexity visible-light communication

  • Research Paper
  • Special Focus on B5G Wireless Communication Networks
  • Published:
Science China Information Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Owing to the recent advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT), an increasing number of IoT devices have led to frequency crowding in wireless networks. The low-complexity visible light communication (VLC) system is a promising solution for indoor frequency-crowded wireless networks owing to the ubiquity of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and readily deployable, low-cost modulation methods. However, due to the inherent limitations of LED materials and growth of data from IoT applications, low-complexity VLC systems can barely boost the data throughput without adding complex modulations and circuits. This study aims to design and implement a spectrum-efficient, low-complexity VLC system to improve data throughput with very little cost to support indoor IoT applications. This system uses multiamplitude voltage to transmit multiple bit streams simultaneously, making it a novel system. However, it is not trivial to achieve this goal as the varying voltage can cause the LEDs to flicker. Therefore, we further propose a voltage-to-current amplifier circuit, which effectively mitigates the effects of changes in the LED’s brightness upon human eyes. Finally, we evaluate the system under different speeds, distances, and angles. Extensive experiments demonstrate promising results from the viewpoint of spectrum efficiency, throughput, bit-error rate, and user perception.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Komine T, Nakagawa M. Fundamental analysis for visible-light communication system using LED lights. IEEE Trans Consumer Electron, 2004, 50: 100–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Ibrahim M, Nguyen V, Rupavatharam S, et al. Visible light based activity sensing using ceiling photosensors. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on Visible Light Communication Systems, 2016. 43–48

  3. Quintana C, Guerra V, Rufo J, et al. Reading lamp-based visible light communication system for in-flight entertainment. IEEE Trans Consumer Electron, 2013, 59: 31–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Schmid S, Ziegler J, Corbellini G, et al. Using consumer led light bulbs for low-cost visible light communication systems. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on Visible Light Communication System, 2014

  5. Xu J, Yao J M, Wang L, et al. Narrowband Internet of things: evolutions, technologies, and open issues. IEEE Internet Things J, 2018, 5: 1449–1462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tian Z, Wright K, Zhou X. Lighting up the Internet of things with darkVLC. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applications, 2016. 33–38

  7. Schmid S, Corbellini G, Mangold S, et al. LED-to-LED visible light communication networks. In: Proceedings of the 14th ACM International Symposium on Mobile ad Hoc Networking and Computing, 2013. 1–10

  8. Khalid A M, Cossu G, Corsini R, et al. 1-Gb/s transmission over a phosphorescent white LED by using rate-adaptive discrete multitone modulation. IEEE Photonic J, 2012, 4: 1465–1473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Tsonev D, Chun H, Rajbhandari S, et al. A 3-Gb/s single-LED OFDM-based wireless VLC link using a gallium nitride μ LED. IEEE Photon Technol Lett, 2014, 26: 637–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Zhao L X, Zhu S C, Wu C H, et al. GaN-based LEDs for light communication. Sci China-Phys Mech Astron, 2016, 59: 107301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Singh R, O’Farrell T, David J P R. Performance evaluation of IEEE 802.15.7 CSK physical layer. In: Proceedings of IEEE Globlecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), Atlanta, 2013

  12. Qian H, Cai S Z, Yao S J, et al. On the benefit of DMT modulation in nonlinear VLC systems. Opt Express, 2015, 23: 2618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Alaka S P, Narasimhan T L, Chockalingam A. On the performance of single- and multi-carrier modulation schemes for indoor visible light communication systems. In: Proceedings of IEEE Globecom, 2015

  14. Wu F M, Lin C T, Wei C C, et al. Performance comparison of OFDM signal and CAP signal over high capacity RGB-LED-Based WDM visible light communication. IEEE Photonic J, 2013, 5: 7901507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Le N T, Nguyen T, Jang Y M. Frequency shift on-off keying for optical camera communication. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks (ICUFN), Shanghai, 2014

  16. Popoola W, Poves E, Haas H. Generalised space shift keying for visible light communications. In: Proceedings of International Symposium on Communication Systems Networks Digital Signal Processing, 2012

  17. Ghassemlooy Z, Popoola W, Rajbhandari S. Optical Wireless Communications: System and Channel Modelling with MATLAB. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis, 2012

    Google Scholar 

  18. Zeng Y, Green R J, Sun S B, et al. Tunable pulse amplitude and position modulation technique for reliable optical wireless communication channels. J Commun, 2007, 2: 22–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Geng L, Wei J L, Penty R V, et al. 3 Gbit/s LED-based step index plastic optical fiber link using multilevel pulse amplitude modulation. In: Proceedings of Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (OFC/NFOEC), Anaheim, 2013

  20. Li H L, Chen X B, Huang B J, et al. High bandwidth visible light communications based on a post-equalization circuit. IEEE Photonic Tech Lett, 2014, 26: 119–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Mirvakili A, Koomson V J. A flicker-free CMOS LED driver control circuit for visible light communication enabling concurrent data transmission and dimming control. Analog Integr Circ Sig Process, 2014, 80: 283–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Park S B, Jung D K, Shin H S, et al. Information broadcasting system based on visible light signboard. In: Proceedings of Acta Press, 2007

  23. Komine T, Lee J H, Haruyama S, et al. Adaptive equalization system for visible light wireless communication utilizing multiple white LED lighting equipment. IEEE Trans Wirel Commun, 2009, 8: 2892–2900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Galal M M, El Aziz A A, Fayed H A, et al. High speed data transmission over a visible light link employing smartphones xenon flashlight as a replacement of magnetic cards. In: Proceedings of IEEE High Capacity Optical Networks and Emerging/Enabling Technologies, 2013

  25. Wu S, Wang H, Youn C H. Visible light communications for 5G wireless networking systems: from fixed to mobile communications. IEEE Netw, 2014, 28: 41–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Park I H, Kim Y H, Jin Y K. Interference mitigation scheme of visible light communication systems for aircraft wireless applications. In: Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE), Las Vegas, 2012

  27. Haas H. Light fidelity (Li-Fi): towards all-optical networking. In: Proceedings of SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 2013. 900702

  28. Kong L, Shen H, Xu W, et al. Transmission capacity maximization for LED array-assisted multiuser VLC systems. Sci China Inf Sci, 2015, 58: 082310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Biagi M, Vegni A M. Enabling high data rate VLC via MIMO-LEDs PPM. In: Proceedings of IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), Atlanta, 2013

  30. Sugiyama H, Haruyama S, Nakagawa M. Brightness control methods for illumination and visible-light communication systems. In: Proceedings of ACM ICWMC, 2007

  31. Lee K, Park H. Modulations for visible light communications with dimming control. IEEE Photonnic Technol Lett, 2011, 23: 1136–1138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lin W Y, Chen C Y, Lu H H, et al. 10 m/500 Mbps WDM visible light communication systems. Opt Express, 2012, 20: 9919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang Y Y, Yu H Y, Zhang J K. Block precoding for peak-limited MISO broadcast VLC: constellation-optimal structure and addition-unique designs. IEEE J Sel Areas Commun, 2018, 36: 78–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Zhang Y Y, Yu H Y, Zhang J K, et al. Energy-efficient space-time modulation for indoor MISO visible light communications. Opt Lett, 2016, 41: 329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Chau J C, Morales C, Little T D C. Using spatial light modulators in MIMO visible light communication receivers to dynamically control the optical channel. In: Proceedings of the 2016 International Conference on Embedded Wireless Systems and Networks, Graz, 2016. 347–352

  36. Gancarz J E, Elgala H, Little T D. Overlapping PPM for band-limited visible light communication and dimming. J Sol State Light, 2015, 2: 3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Tian Z, Wright K, Zhou X. The darklight rises: visible light communication in the dark. In: Proceedings of ACM Mobicom, 2016

  38. Schmid S, Richner T, Mangold S, et al. Enlighting: an indoor visible light communication system based on networked light bulbs. In: Proceedings of 13th Annual IEEE International Conference on Sensing, Communication, and Networking (SECON), London, 2016

  39. Narendran N, Gu Y M. Life of LED-based white light sources. J Display Technol, 2005, 1: 167–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Pimputkar S, Speck J S, DenBaars S P, et al. Prospects for LED lighting. Nat Photonic, 2009, 3: 180–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Lin H N. Low power consumption LED emergency light. US patent, EP2023033A1 F21L4/04, 2009

  42. Bullough J D, Yuan Z, Rea M S. Perceived brightness of incandescent and LED aviation signal lights. Aviat Space Environ Med, 2007, 78: 893–900

    Google Scholar 

  43. Tang Y Y, Chen Q, Ju P, et al. Research on load characteristics of energy-saving lamp and LED lamp. In: Proceedings of IEEE Powercon, 2016

  44. Prince G B, Little T D C. On the performance gains of cooperative transmission concepts in intensity modulated direct detection visible light communication networks. In: Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Communications, 2010

  45. Yasir M, Ho S W, Vellambi B N. Indoor positioning system using visible light and accelerometer. J Lightw Technol, 2014, 32: 3306–3316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Li L Q, Hu P, Peng C Y, et al. Epsilon: a visible light based positioning system. In: Proceedings of ACM/USENIX NSDI, 2014

  47. Hu P, Li L Q, Peng C Y, et al. Pharos: enable physical analytics through visible light based indoor localization. In: Proceedings of ACM HotNets-XII, 2014

  48. Arai S, Mase S, Yamazato T, et al. Experimental on hierarchical transmission scheme for visible light communication using LED traffic light and high-speed camera. In: Proceedings of IEEE 66th Vehicular Technology Conference, 2007

  49. Wang Q, Giustiniano D, Puccinelli D. Openvlc: software-defined visible light embedded networks. In: Proceedings of ACM Mobicom, 2014

  50. Li T X, An C K, Xiao X R, et al. Real-time screen-camera communication behind any scene. In: Proceedings of ACM MobiSys, 2015

  51. Hao T, Zhou R G, Xing G L. Cobra: color barcode streaming for smartphone systems. In: Proceedings of ACM MobiSys, 2012

  52. Wang A R, Peng C Y, Zhang O Y, et al. Inframe: multiflexing full-frame visible communication channel for humans and devices. In: Proceedings of ACM HotNets-XIII, 2014

  53. Schmid S, Mangold S, Richner T, et al. Linux light bulbs: enabling internet protocol connectivity for light bulb networks. In: Proceedings of ACM VLCS, 2015

  54. Schmid S, Corbellini G, Mangold S, et al. Continuous synchronization for LED-to-LED visible light communication networks. In: Proceedings of IEEE IWOW, 2014

  55. Gupta S, Chen K Y, Reynolds M S, et al. Lightwave: using compact fluorescent lights as sensors. In: Proceedings of ACM UBICOMP, 2011. 65–74

  56. Schmidt D, Molyneaux D, Cao X. Picontrol: using a handheld projector for direct control of physical devices through visible light. In: Proceedings of ACM UIST, 2012

  57. Zhou X, Campbell A T. Visible light networking and sensing. In: Proceedings of ACM HotWireless, 2014

  58. Stefan I, Burchardt H, Haas H. Area spectral efficiency performance comparison between VLC and RF femtocell networks. In: Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 2013

  59. IEEE Standards Association. 802.15.7-2011 — IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks-Part 15.7: Short-Range Wireless Optical Communication Using Visible Light. 978-0-7381-6665-0. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/servlet/opac?punumber=6016193

  60. Stone P T. Review paper: fluorescent lighting and health. In: Proceedings of SAGE Lighting Research and Technology, 1992

  61. Ndjiongue A R, Thokozani Shongwe, Ferreira H C, et al. Cascaded PLC-VLC channel using OFDM and CSK techniques. In: Proceedings of IEEE Globecom, 2015

  62. Dabeer O, Chaudhuri S. Analysis of an adaptive sampler based on Weber’s law. IEEE Trans Signal Process, 2011, 59: 1868–1878

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  63. Brown A M, Dobson V, Maier J. Visual acuity of human infants at scotopic, mesopic and photopic luminances. Vision Res, 1987, 27: 1845–1858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Jinno M, Morita K, Tomita Y, et al. Effective illuminance improvement of a light source by using pulse modulation and its psychophysical effect on the human eye. J Light Vis Env, 2008, 32: 161–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61801105, 61501104, 61775033, 61771120), and in part by Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant Nos. N161604004, N161608001, N171602002).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computer Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China

    Xiangyu Liu

  2. School of Information Technology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 45221, USA

    Xuetao Wei

  3. School of Communication and Information Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Lei Guo & Yejun Liu

Authors
  1. Xiangyu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xuetao Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lei Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yejun Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lei Guo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, X., Wei, X., Guo, L. et al. Exploring multiamplitude voltage modulation to improve spectrum efficiency in low-complexity visible-light communication. Sci. China Inf. Sci. 62, 80305 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-018-9858-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-018-9858-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation