Multiband channel characteristics for indoor visible light communications

Abstract

We present a multiband ray tracing (MRT) algorithm to analyze the indoor multiband channel characteristics for visible light communications (VLC). As visible light spans a wide spectrum from 380 to 780 nm, spectral reflectivities of walls are wavelength dependent. This model is able to analyze the multiband channel in VLC and provide the channel information for implementing the wavelength division multiplexing VLC system. To validate the effectiveness of the MRT model, an extensive indoor measurement of the multipath channel characteristics has been presented. Effects of relative angles from lighting emitting diodes (LEDs) to receivers and the variation of receiver locations have been taken into consideration. Theoretical results from the MRT model are validated against the measurement results on the channel path loss of the typical wavelength at 420 nm. Furthermore, channel characteristics like the root mean square delay spread and the spectral response of the three typical wavelengths based on the red green blue (RGB) LEDs are analyzed by the MRT model simulation. Finally, comparisons of receiver positions, relative angle as well as field-of-view angles, for three wavelengths are considered.