In a world where wireless internet access has become a necessity for daily activities, the demand for greater power consumption has led to increased carbon emissions worldwide. As a result, researchers are exploring new energy efficient techniques to support communication between devices and the sharing of information online. One such solution gaining attention is visible light communication (VLC) which utilizes visible light to transmit data, utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other artificial light sources.
Researchers at Central University (CU), IIDM and CU J&K in India have recently proposed a hybrid approach that merges VLC with RF communication. This innovative solution, outlined in a paper published in IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, aims to provide reliable communication in indoor environments with a high data transmission rate, while consuming less energy. The team of researchers, including Haneet Kour, Rakesh Kumar Jha, and Sanjeev Jain, emphasize the importance of decreasing the carbon footprint and making wireless networks more efficient and reliable.
The wireless communication system developed by the researchers consists of two key components: a transmitter and a receiver module. These modules, connected via a VLC channel, work together to transmit binary data using LED-produced light. The transmitter ensures a continuous stream of data while maintaining a constant power consumption value throughout communication. On the other hand, the receiver, equipped with a photo-sensitive device such as a photodiode or camera, extracts the transmitted information from the light emitted by the transmitter when in its line of sight.
The researchers conducted simulations using various platforms such as Python, Scilab, and MathWorks to evaluate the performance of their hybrid communication system. The results indicated stable communication between devices in indoor environments, with significant energy savings. The proposed system showed high energy efficiency, lower SAR, incident and absorbed power density, as well as improved battery lifetime of mobile devices. The findings suggest a 7-hour increase in battery lifetime, showcasing the potential benefits of the hybrid approach.
The study by the team of researchers contributes to the ongoing efforts to reduce power consumption and electromagnetic radiation in wireless communications. The initial simulations demonstrate the promise of the hybrid approach, paving the way for further improvements and testing in future studies. As the demand for energy efficient wireless communication continues to rise, innovations like the hybrid RF and VLC system offer a sustainable solution for reliable and efficient indoor communication.
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