1st International Conference on 5G for Ubiquitous Connectivity

Research Article

Transitioning to Hybrid Radio/Optical Networks: Development of a Flexible Visible Light Communication Testbed

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/icst.5gu.2014.258129,
        author={Alexander McBride and Burim Derveni and Jeffrey Proko and Pekka Kamsula and Helal Chowdhury and Tuomo Hanninen and Juha-Pekka M\aa{}kel\aa{} and Marcos Katz},
        title={Transitioning to Hybrid Radio/Optical Networks:  Development of a Flexible Visible Light Communication Testbed},
        proceedings={1st International Conference on 5G for Ubiquitous Connectivity},
        publisher={IEEE},
        proceedings_a={5GU},
        year={2014},
        month={12},
        keywords={visible light communication software defined radio frequency hybrid review},
        doi={10.4108/icst.5gu.2014.258129}
    }
    
  • Alexander McBride
    Burim Derveni
    Jeffrey Proko
    Pekka Kamsula
    Helal Chowdhury
    Tuomo Hanninen
    Juha-Pekka Mäkelä
    Marcos Katz
    Year: 2014
    Transitioning to Hybrid Radio/Optical Networks: Development of a Flexible Visible Light Communication Testbed
    5GU
    IEEE
    DOI: 10.4108/icst.5gu.2014.258129
Alexander McBride1, Burim Derveni1, Jeffrey Proko1, Pekka Kamsula2, Helal Chowdhury2, Tuomo Hanninen2, Juha-Pekka Mäkelä2, Marcos Katz2,*
  • 1: Drexel University
  • 2: University of Oulu
*Contact email: mkatz@ee.oulu.fi

Abstract

As the number of wireless connected devices grow, the wireless industry is challenged to meet demand while continuing to improve data rates and QoS. Visible light communication (VLC) has significant potential to be used as a new high speed layer in future heterogeneous RF networks. This work reviews the major challenges and important applications of hybrid VLC/RF networks, and details a versatile software defined VLC-downlink/RF-uplink experimental testbed. Our hope in this report is to support and aid RF groups as they transition their research interests to include RF/VLC hybrid networks. Given the low cost, minimal hardware requirements, and experimental flexibility, this testbed represents an ideal system to begin RF/VLC hybrid experiments. In this context, we offer this report as a unique blend of review, initial experimental testbed observations, and visionary moving forward towards 5G communication.