This approach promises reliable indoor communication with reduced power consumption, paving the way for greener, more sustainable wireless networks.
Wireless internet plays a crucial role in the daily activities of millions globally, supporting tasks such as professional communication, internet browsing, and media streaming. The rising demand for wireless connectivity has increased power consumption, contributing to global carbon emissions. Future wireless networks are expected to meet the high computational demands of modern applications and internet services while minimising power usage. In response, researchers are developing energy-efficient techniques to facilitate communication between devices and enable the sharing of media and information online.
One such technique is Visible Light Communication (VLC), which uses visible light to transmit data through light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other artificial light sources. Researchers at Central University (CU), IIDM, and CU J&K in India introduced a hybrid approach that combines VLC with Radio Frequency (RF) communication. Their hybrid solution aims to provide reliable indoor communication with high data transmission rates while reducing energy consumption. They proposed a hybrid system that integrates RF and VLC for indoor communication. This system is designed to offer both communication and illumination while consuming less power. The network adjusts power usage based on user demand and maintains the required Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) for specific applications.
The wireless communication system developed by the team consists of two main components: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends binary data via LED-produced light, while the receiver, equipped with a photo-sensitive device such as a photodiode or camera, extracts the information from the light when in the line of sight of the transmitter. The team also proposed modulation schemes to ensure a continuous data stream and consistent power consumption. Initial evaluations using various simulation platforms indicated that the system could provide stable indoor communication with significant energy savings. The research highlights the potential of this approach to reduce power consumption and electromagnetic radiation, contributing to ongoing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of wireless communications.
