Hardware implementation of a mirror array-based optical intelligent reflecting surface for VLC: prototype and...

Area of Science:

• Optical Wireless Communications
• Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces

Background:

• Growing demand for high-speed, reliable communication systems drives interest in optical intelligent reflecting surfaces (OIRS).
• Visible light communication (VLC) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are key application areas for OIRS.
• Current OIRS research is largely theoretical, with limited hardware implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a practical OIRS prototype for adjustable optical wireless communication environments.
• To develop a configurable hardware platform for OIRS-based VLC systems.
• To experimentally validate the performance enhancements offered by the OIRS prototype.

Main Methods:

• Development of an OIRS prototype utilizing a mirror array with adjustable unit orientations.
• Creation of a hardware platform featuring a configurable control system for OIRS integration.
• Experimental testing to measure signal amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvements.

Main Results:

• The OIRS prototype demonstrated significant improvements in received signal amplitude.
• Experimental results showed a notable increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• The developed hardware platform successfully supported OIRS-based VLC functionality.

Conclusions:

• The OIRS prototype and hardware platform effectively enhance VLC communication efficiency.
• The experimental results confirm the practical potential of OIRS deployment in optical wireless systems.
• This work bridges the gap between theoretical OIRS research and practical hardware implementation.