Practical Aspects of Optical Wireless Communications: Technologies, Applications and Markets

Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) systems utilize the free-space optical links (air or vacuum) between the transmitter and the receiver to transmit data. OWC technology has an edge over the RF technology due to various factors. These factors include but are not limited to high energy efficiency, widely spread bandwidth, which is free from regulation, intrinsic security, and low economical costs. OWC technologies complement and enhance 5G wireless communications. By utilizing its greater available spectrum, light can be used to deliver large amounts of data at fast speeds and with high security.

With the inherent advantages, such as ultra-high bandwidth, long communication distance, and strong data privacy, optical wireless systems will become an essential building block of the future communication network infrastructure. Optical wireless communications will play an important role in network operations for 6G, WLANs, AR/VR, and beyond. Optical wireless system design and coordination is also an open topic.

The report researches a wide spectrum of OWC-related subjects and concentrates on: 

• VLC - Visible Light Communication
• LiFi - Light Fidelity
• OCC - Optical Camera Communications
• FSF - Free Space Fiber
• Other

The differences among these technologies are very specific. The unique characteristic of VLC is the use of visible light as communication media. A LiFi system must support seamless mobility, bidirectional communication, and point-to-multipoint, as well as multipoint-to-point communications. Only the OCC system uses camera or image sensor as a receiver among all the OWC technologies. Due to the narrow beams of focused light from a LD transmitter, a FSF system can form a very long distance as well as a high-data-rate communication link.

This report addresses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) technologies and markets. LEDs, in the near future, will be a dominate source of illumination; and used also as a transmitting device. The OWC LED-based channels promise to deliver high-speed data in office, home and other environments with high signal-to-noise ratio, and minimum infrastructure expenses.

The report is analyzing the emerging OWC, and particular:

Industry

The survey of more than 40 companies’ profiles shows the industry strength and growth.

Economics

The markets specifics of VLC/LiFi/OCC and FSF are evaluated (2024-2028). 

Technologies

The detailed analysis of OWC technologies, their strengths and weaknesses, including the latest developments is provided. The report is addressing the specifics of each OWC technology and compare their functionalities.

Standardization 

An important prerequisite for the large-scale adoption of OWC technologies is the availability of standards. In this context, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, ITU-R as well as other organizations are working to standardize OWC technology. Multiple OWC standards are analyzed in this report to create a diverse picture of the industry directions.

Applications

The report emphasizes that the spectrum of OWC applications is increasing with each year to support such developments as Intelligent Transportation Systems, Localization and other. Both indoor and outdoor users can appreciate OWC features in multiple instances when compare them with RF transmission. 

The report also surveys OWC-related patents.

This report is important to a wide population of researches, technical and sales staff involved in the developing of advanced Optical Wireless Communications systems. It is recommended for both service providers and vendors that are working with related technologies.