Data download on the move in visible light communications:design and analysis

In visible light communication (VLC), light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as transmitters; the air is the transmission medium and the photodiodes are used for receivers. This is often referred to as light fidelity (Li-Fi). In this thesis, we provide the methodology to evaluate the performance of VLC hotspot networks in the context of data downloading on the move scenarios by using throughput-distance relationship models. In this context, first we study the different properties of optical transceiver elements, noise sources, characterization and modelling of artificial light interference, different link topologies and then we introduce the throughput-distance relationship model. Secondly, the analytically based throughput-distance relationship has been developed for evaluating the performance of VLC hotspot networks in indoor environment in both day and night conditions. Simulation results reveal that background noise has a significant impact on the performance of VLC hotspots. As expected, in both indoor and outdoor environments the VLC hotspot performs better at night than during day. The performance of VLC hotspot networks is also quantified in terms of received file size at different bit error rate requirements and velocities of the mobile user. Thirdly, we study the performance of hybrid (Radio-Optical) WLAN-VLC hotspot and compare its performance with stand-alone VLC-only or WLAN-only hotspot cases. In this case, we also consider the data download on the move scenarios in an indoor environment for a singleuser as well as for multi-user cases. In this hybrid WLAN-VLC hotspot, both the WLAN and the VLC are characterized by their throughput and communication range. Simulations have been performed to evaluate the performance of such network for data downloading on the move scenario by taking into account performance metrics such as filesize, average connectivity and system throughput. Simulation results reveal that the considered hybrid WLAN-VLC performs always better than stand-alone VLC-only or WLAN-only hotspot both for a single and multi-user cases. Finally, this thesis analyses the feasibility and potential benefits of using hybrid radio-optical wireless systems. In this respect, cooperative communication using optical relays are also introduced in order to increase the coverage and energy efficiency of the battery operated device. Potential benefits are identified as service connectivity and energy efficiency of battery operated device in an indoor environment. Simulation results reveal that user connectivity and energy efficiency depend on user density, coverage range ratio between single-hop and multi-hop, relay probabilities and mobility of the user.