OpenVLC platform for studies in visible light communication systems

VLC is presently receiving good sized attention from the researchers and architects of 5G networks and beyond. due to the a whole lot greater bandwidth available inside the seen light spectrum with appreciate to radio frequency spectrum, VLC can help deal with the looming spectrum crunch hassle. The interaction of this element with the high-electricity performance of LEDs can even allow new pervasive wi-fi systems within the geographical regions of the internet of things (IoT) and boost up the increase fee of linked IoT devices.

A research crew led by Dr. Domenico Giustiniano, research associate Professor at IMDEA Networks Institute is wearing out an crucial studies venture referred to as Open VLC. considering the fact that VLC is a brand new era, as of nowadays there is no open-source reference platform for studies in VLC networks. The aim of the project is to conquer this sturdy trouble and design a solution that is low-fee, bendy and programmable for the studies community. the availability of a trendy-purpose platform would add momentum to VLC studies, open up new avenues of VLC studies and spark the hobby of researchers and engineers. it could be used as a starter package for embedded VLC studies, as well as an schooling kit for courses geared toward undergraduate students.

The venture of OpenVLC

which will accomplish these objectives, the initial step taken by way of the research team is to layout and build the OpenVLC platform. In technical phrases, the researchers create an open-source VLC platform for immediate prototyping of latest system protocols and build a Li-Fi network. The software-described technique of the platform permits without problems reconfiguring the gadget consistent with the software desires. The platform runs on a fee-effective but effective credit-card-sized embedded board.

OpenVLC is led through IMDEA Networks Institute, in partnership with SUPSI, college of Houston, TU Delft and IEIIT/CNR. Dr. Domenico Giustiniano has been leading the OpenVLC venture seeing that its theory. Dr. Qing Wang, who currently defended his PhD thesis underneath the supervision of Dr. Giustianiano, has been the important thing pre-doctoral researcher at the back of the undertaking. way to the results conducted within the OpenVLC project, Qing Wang became presented the "2014 chinese authorities Award for splendid Self-Financed students abroad" (CSC). simplest an insignificant 500 younger chinese language competencies receive the award every 12 months.

presently there is an open name to make available the primary hardware prototypes to selected candidates with an exciting project concept. because of this open call, OpenVLC has already been used for studies and teaching in extra than ten top Universities and Institutes. numerous outstanding Professors, Researchers and studies corporations are the usage of OpenVLC of their studies and lab publications. additionally, the platform designed by using the IMDEA research group acquired a totally high level of interest within the latest demonstration sessions at ACM MobiCom'15 and IEEE/ACM IPSN 2016.

OpenVLC from a technical viewpoint

so that it will absolutely shed mild on the uniqueness of the platform, a few technical details are added here. OpenVLC consists of three components:

1.An embedded machine easily to be had in the marketplace (BeagleBone Black, BBB),

2.the OpenVLC1.1 hardware, i.e., the VLC transceiver (additionally called BBB cape), and

three.the OpenVLC1.1 software, a software-defined PHY and MAC layer, carried out as a Linux driver.

The OpenVLC1.1 hardware consists of 3 optical components: a low-energy LED, a high-strength LED, and a photodiode. numerous visible mild conversation channels can be enabled, inclusive of the transmission from a excessive-electricity caused a photodiode and the transmission from a low-electricity caused another low-power LED, appearing as receiver. The OpenVLC1.1 software program is implemented as a Linux motive force that could speak immediately with the OpenVLC 1.1 hardware and the Linux networking stack. In OpenVLC, the VLC interface is set up as a brand new communication interface that may take advantage of the big variety of Linux equipment. The maximum latest driver can be downloaded from Github.