In this paper, we investigate the performance limits of underwater visible light communication (UVLC) systems. We first develop a closed-form path loss expression as a function of transceiver parameters and water type. We then utilize this new expression to determine the maximum achievable link distance for UVLC systems in pure sea, clear ocean, coastal water and harbor water. Our results demonstrate that the maximum achievable distance is limited to a few tens of meters. This necessitates the deployment of relay-assisted UVLC systems to extend the transmission range. We consider both detect-andforward (DF) and amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying. For each relaying method, we first consider a dual-hop UVLC system and determine optimal relay placement to minimize the bit error rate (BER). Then, we consider a multi-hop system with equidistant relays and determine the maximum achievable distance for a given number of hops to satisfy a targeted end-to-end BER.

Visible light communication (VLC) has been proposed as an alternative or complementary technology to radio frequency vehicular communications. Front and back vehicle lights can serve as wireless transmitters making VLC a natural vehicular connectivity solution. In this paper, we evaluate the performance limits of vehicular VLC systems. First, we use non-sequential ray tracing to obtain the channel impulse responses (CIRs) for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) link in various weather conditions. Based on these CIRs, we present a closedform path loss expression which builds upon the summation of geometrical loss and attenuation loss and takes into account asymmetrical patterns of vehicle light sources and geometry of V2V transmission. The proposed expression is an explicit function of link distance, lateral shift between two vehicles, weather type (quantified by the extinction coefficient), transmitter beam divergence angle and receiver aperture diameter. Then, we utilize this expression to determine the maximum achievable link distance of V2V systems for clear, rainy and foggy weather conditions while ensuring a targeted bit error rate.

In this letter, we propose a realistic channel model for visible light communication (VLC) assuming a mobile user. Based on non-sequential ray tracing, we first obtain channel impulse responses for each point over the user movement trajectories, and then express path loss and delay spread as a function of distance through curve fitting. Our results demonstrate large variations in received power. In system design, this necessitates the use of adaptive schemes, where transmission parameters can be selected according to channel conditions. To demonstrate the benefits of link adaptation over a mobile VLC channel, we propose an adaptive system with luminary selection and demonstrate improvements in spectral efficiency over non-adaptive systems.

In this paper, we present a comprehensive channel modeling and characterization study for underwater visible light communications. Our study is based on advanced ray tracing, which allows for an accurate description of the interaction of rays emitted from the lighting source within an underwater environment. Contrary to existing works, which are mainly limited to simplified underwater scenarios, i.e., empty sea, we take into account the presence of human and man-made objects to investigate the effects of shadowing and blockage. The reflection characteristics of the sea surface and sea bottom as well as the water characteristics, i.e., extinction coefficient and scattering phase function of particles, are precisely considered. As case studies, we consider various underwater scenarios with different transmitter/receiver specifications (i.e., viewing angle, aperture size) and different depths from the sea surface. For each environment, we obtain channel impulse responses and present a characterization study where channel parameters such as channel DC gain, path loss, and delay spread are obtained.

Visible light communication (VLC) allows the dual use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for wireless communication purposes in addition to their primary purpose of illumination. As in any other communication system, realistic channel modelling is a key for VLC system design, analysis and testing. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey of indoor VLC channel models. In order to set the background, we start with an overview of infrared (IR) channel modelling, which has received much attention in the past, and highlight the differences between visible and IR optical bands. In the light of these, we present a comparative discussion of existing VLC channel modelling studies and point out the relevant advantages and disadvantages. Then, we provide a detailed description of a site-specific channel modelling approach based on non-sequential ray tracing that precisely captures the optical propagation characteristics of a given indoor environment. We further present channel models for representative deployment scenarios developed through this approach that were adopted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) as reference channel models. Finally, we consider mobile VLC scenarios and investigate the effect of receiver location and rotation for a mobile indoor user. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Optical wireless communication’.