Optical Wireless Systems – Visible Light Communications and Free Space Optics: Technologies and Markets

Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed. Evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.

The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.

Target Audience

This report is important to a wide population of researches, technical and sales staff involved in the developing of advanced communications methods. It is recommended for both service providers and vendors that are working with related technologies. The report also helps to understand issues associated with relationship between optical communications and other technologies.

BRIEF

Visible and invisible optical wireless communication (OWC) found multiple applications, supporting security and cost efficiency. OWC is license-free and delivers high-speed data rates in the order of Gb/s. This report addresses contributions to the ICT development made by two groups of related OWC technologies:

VLC – Visible Light Communication
FSF – Free Space Fiber.

OWC advantages, such as achievable high data rate, simplicity and efficiency of a communications channel, have fostered significant research efforts aimed at utilizing optical wireless solutions. FSF is much more mature than VLC; though this technology never stopped improving. VLC is currently evolving; with standardization carried out by major organizations, such as the IEEE and other.

In connection with the VLC developments, the report is addressing Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies and markets. LED, in the near future, will be a dominate source of illumination; and used also as a transmitting device. The VLC 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 VLC industry, technologies, standardization and applications.

Another OWC technology – FSF – is also addressed in this report. FSF devices are solving access issues in metro and LAN environments. They are relatively inexpensive, support Gb/s rates of transmission; they are also offering low maintenance cost, guarantee a short installation time and security of communications. The report presents the FSF technologies and market analysis as well as discusses their applications together with the survey of vendors and their portfolios.