Merging Visible Light Communications and Smart Lighting: A Prototype with Integrated Dimming for Energy-Efficient...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Sustainable Technology

Background:

• Visible Light Communication (VLC) offers dual functionality for lighting and data transmission.
• Existing VLC systems may not optimally balance energy efficiency with communication performance.
• Modern workspaces require integrated solutions for lighting, connectivity, and energy management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an improved, energy-efficient VLC solution for modern workspaces.
• To develop a VLC system with dynamic light dimming for adaptive illumination and reliable communication.
• To assess the system's performance, scalability, and energy-saving potential.

Main Methods:

• Development of a VLC prototype with dynamic light dimming adaptation.
• Implementation of an algorithm to self-adjust LED duty cycle (10%-90%) based on ambient light.
• Testing data rates up to 100 kb/s with a Bit Error Rate (BER) below 10^-7.
• Simulation-based scalability analysis in an office scenario with multiple users.

Main Results:

• The system reliably maintains communication under variable lighting conditions.
• Dynamic light dimming ensures a minimum illuminance of 300 lx, adapting to ambient light levels.
• Simulations indicate successful scalability for up to six users, maintaining connectivity and visual comfort.
• Significant energy consumption reduction was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The proposed VLC solution provides an energy-efficient alternative for workspaces, integrating lighting and data transfer.
• Dynamic light intensity regulation is key to balancing energy savings, visual comfort, and communication performance.
• The system shows strong potential for implementation in sustainable smart indoor environments.