Network solutions for the LOS problem of new indoor free space optical system

Recent developments in solid-state light-emitting diode (LED) materials and devices is driving a resurgence into the use of free-space optics (FSO) for wireless broadband communication. This technology uses the visible spectrum provided by “white” LEDs that are becoming ubiquitous in lighting and has some desirable properties competitive with existing radio frequency (RF) communications. By leveraging the low-cost nature of LEDs and lighting units there are many opportunities to exploit this medium for widespread optical communication deployment. The optical medium, however, has particular characteristics, including directionality and susceptibility to noise sources in the visible spectrum that must be managed. In this paper we present a new indoor FSO system, also known as a visible light communication (VLC) system that addresses achieving satisfactory data rates while supporting multiple access under line of sight (LOS) constraints. A hexagonal physical device design is proposed and investigated in the context to two communication protocols designed to manage point-to-point and point-to-host cases. Theoretical analysis and simulation of the two protocols under the hexagonal transceiver device design indicate suitability for addressing high data rate communications between peer devices; or, via relay, between multiple devices using the peer-to-host model.