A Multigigabit per Second Integrated Multiple-Input Multiple-Output VLC Demonstrator

Abstract

In this paper, we report the performance of an imaging multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) visible light communication (VLC) system. The VLC transmitter consists of a two-dimensional (2-D), individually addressable Gallium Nitride micro light-emitting diode (μLED) array. The receiver uses a 2-D avalanche photodiode array fabricated using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). Using integrated CMOS-based LED drivers, a data rate greater than 1 Gb/s was obtained at a link distance of 1 m with the system field of view of 3.45° using four channels. At a reduced link distance of 0.5 m, a data rate of 7.48 Gb/s was obtained using a nine channel MIMO system. This demonstrates the feasibility of compact MIMO systems that offer substantial data rates.