The demand for wireless internet access worldwide is on the rise, supporting various daily activities from professional communications to entertainment. However, this increased demand also leads to greater power consumption and contributes to carbon emissions. As a result, researchers have been exploring energy-efficient techniques to support communication between devices and the sharing of information online. One of these innovative solutions is visible light communication (VLC), which utilizes visible light to transmit data through light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other artificial light sources.
Researchers at Central University, India, recently introduced a new hybrid approach combining VLC with RF communication to enable reliable communication in indoor environments with high data transmission rates while consuming less energy. The team, consisting of Haneet Kour, Rakesh Kumar Jha, and Sanjeev Jain, aims to decrease the carbon footprint while making the network safe and reliable. This hybrid system of RF and VLC provides communication along with illumination with reduced power consumption, optimizing power based on user demand while maintaining Quality of Service and Quality of Experience for different applications.
The wireless communication system developed by the researchers comprises a transmitter and a receiver module connected via a VLC channel. The transmitter transmits binary data in the form of LED-produced light, while employing modulation schemes to maintain a continuous data stream and consistent power consumption. The receiver, equipped with a photo-sensitive device like a photodiode or a camera, extracts information from the light emitted by the transmitter when in direct line of sight. The team’s initial evaluation using simulation platforms showed promising results, indicating stable communication in indoor environments with significant energy savings.
The proposed hybrid system demonstrates high energy efficiency, lower Specific Absorption Rate, reduced incident and absorbed power density, and minimal temperature elevation in human tissues exposed to radiation. It also enhances the battery lifetime of mobile devices, increasing usage time by approximately 7 hours. The comparative analysis with RF communication, hybrid (RF+ VLC), and pure VLC further validates the energy-saving potential of the hybrid approach.
The study by the research team from Central University contributes to ongoing efforts to reduce power consumption and electromagnetic radiation in wireless communications. The hybrid approach combining VLC with RF communication shows promise in providing reliable and energy-efficient indoor communication, paving the way for further advancements in the field. Future studies can build upon these findings to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of wireless communication systems for a sustainable and interconnected future.
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