Bi-directional optical camera communication and visible light communication using a single side-emitting fiber

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Optical Communications
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Side-emitting fibers are established for optical camera communication (OCC) and visible light communication (VLC) as separate transmitters or receivers.
• Simultaneous bidirectional use of a single side-emitting fiber for both OCC and VLC has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate and validate a bidirectional visible light communication (VLC) and optical camera communication (OCC) system utilizing a single side-emitting fiber.
• To establish the theoretical framework and experimentally verify the performance of such a dual-function fiber.

Main Methods:

• Development of a theoretical model for bidirectional VLC/OCC over a single side-emitting fiber.
• Experimental implementation and testing of the bidirectional communication link.
• Performance evaluation of both OCC and VLC channels against the forward-error-correction (FEC) limit.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of a bidirectional VLC and OCC link over a single side-emitting fiber.
• Both OCC and VLC channels operated below the forward-error-correction (FEC) limit of 3.8 × 10^-3.
• Experimental validation of the fiber's capability as a simultaneous distributed transmitter and receiver.

Conclusions:

• Side-emitting fibers can effectively support bidirectional VLC and OCC simultaneously.
• This technology offers potential for low-cost, integrated indoor communication and sensing applications.
• Applications include combined identification/verification and emergency exit illumination using a single fiber.