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Optical Wireless Communications

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    Report

  • 145 Pages
  • April 2023
  • Region: Global
  • PracTel Inc
  • ID: 5780797

Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) systems utilize the free-space optical links between the transmitter and the receiver to transmit data. OWC technology has an edge over  F technology due to various factors. These factors include but are not limited to high energy efficiency, widely spread bandwidth, which is free from regulation, intrinsic security, and low economical costs. OWC technologies complement and enhance 5G wireless communications. By utilizing its huge available spectrum, light can deliver large amounts of data at fast speeds and with great security.

The report researches a wide spectrum of OWC-related items and concentrates on:

  • VLC - Visible Light Communications
  • LiFi - Light Fidelity
  • OCC - Optical Camera Communications
  • FSF - Free Space Fiber.

The report addresses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) technologies and markets. LEDs, in the near future, will be a dominant source of illumination; and used also as a transmitting device.  The OWC LED-based channels promise to deliver high-speed data in offices, homes, and other environments with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and minimum infrastructure expenses.

The report analyzes the emerging OWC, particularly:

  • Industry: The survey of more than 30 companies’ profiles shows the industry's strength and growth.
  • Economics: The market specifics of VLC/LiFi/OCC and FSF are evaluated (2023-2027).
  • Technologies: The detailed analysis of OWC technologies, their strengths, and weaknesses, including the latest developments is provided. The report addresses the specifics of each OWC technology and compares its functionalities.
  • Standardization: An important prerequisite for the large-scale adoption of OWC technologies is the availability of standards. In this context, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11, ITU-R as well as other organizations are working to standardize OWC technology. Multiple OWC standards are analyzed in this report to create a diverse picture of the industry directions.
  • Applications: The report emphasizes that the spectrum of OWC applications is increasing each year to support such developments as Intelligent Transportation Systems, Localization, and others. Both indoor and outdoor users can appreciate OWC features in multiple instances when comparing them with RF transmission.

The report also surveys OWC-related patents. This report is important to a wide population of researches, and technical and sales staff involved in the developing of advanced Optical Wireless Communications systems.  It is recommended for both service providers and vendors who are working with related technologies.

Table of Contents

1.0    Introduction
1.1 Report Goals
1.1.1 Electromagnetic Optical Spectrum
1.1.2 OWC Classes
1.2 OWC Technologies
1.3 Scope
1.4 Research Methodology
1.5 Target Audience

2.0 LED Properties
2.1 General
2.2 Spectrum
2.3 LED Types
2.4 LED Modulation
2.4.1 Limitations
2.5 LED Evolution
2.5.1 General
2.5.2 Benefits
2.5.3 Market Characteristics
2.5.4 Factors

3.0 Visible Light Communication (VLC)
3.1 General
3.1.1 VLC Drivers
3.1.2 Organizations - Example
3.1.2.1 UC-Light Center
3.2 Details
3.2.1 Communication Channel
3.2.2 Transmitter
3.2.3 Receiver
3.2.4 Major Characteristics
3.2.4.1 General
3.2.4.2 Modulation
3.2.4.3 VLC Channel: Characteristics Summary
3.2.5 Applications
3.2.5.1 Intelligent Transportation Systems
3.2.5.2 Optical Wireless LAN
3.2.5.3 Medical
3.2.5.4 Localization
3.2.5.5 City Wide Wireless Network
3.2.5.6 Summary
3.3 Challenges

4.0 Light Fidelity (LiFi)
4.1 General
4.2 Differences - LiFi and VLC
4.3 LiFi Consortium
4.4 Light Communications Alliance

5.0 Optical Camera Communications (OCC)
5.1 General
5.2 Driving Forces
5.3 Principles
5.4 Image Sensors
5.4.1 Specifics
5.5 Applications

6.0 Free Space Fiber
6.1 General
6.2 Major Characteristics
6.3 Protection
6.4 Applications
6.4.1 Requirements
6.4.2 Inter-satellite Links
6.4.3 Intra-building Communications
6.4.4 Inter-building Communications
6.5 FSF Communications Benefits and Limitations: Summary
6.5.1 Weather Factor
6.5.2 Building Swaying
6.5.3 Atmospheric Attenuation
6.6 Design Issues
6.6.1 Major Use Cases
6.7 Customers

7.0 OWC Standardization
7.1 VLC/LiFi/OCC/FSF Standards Development
7.1.1 IEEE - 802.15.7-2018
7.1.1.1 Considerations
7.1.1.1.1 Purpose
7.1.1.1.2 New Communications Media
7.1.1.2 Project
7.1.1.2.1 Coexistence
7.1.1.2.2 Essence
7.1.1.2.3 Base
7.1.1.2.4 Use Cases and Devices
7.1.1.2.5 Physical Layer
7.1.1.2.5.1 General
7.1.1.2.5.2 Responsibilities
7.1.1.2.5.3 Types
7.1.1.2.5.4 Error Protection
7.1.1.2.5.5 Rates
7.1.1.2.5.6 Frequency Plan
7.1.1.2.5.7 PHY Services
7.1.1.2.5.8 Regulations
7.1.1.2.6 MAC Layer
7.1.1.2.6.1 Topologies
7.1.1.2.6.2 Responsibilities
7.1.1.2.6.3 Functionalities
7.1.1.2.6.4 Channel Access
7.1.1.2.7 Security
7.1.2 IEEE - 802.11bb
7.1.2.1 Differences
7.1.3 IEEE- 802.15.13-2023
7.1.4 IEEE 802.15.7m - OCC Standardization
7.1.4.1 Background
7.1.4.2 Process
7.1.4.3 Modulation
7.1.4.3.1 Directions
7.1.4.4 OCC Performance Requirements
7.1.4.5 Physical Layer
7.1.5 Jeita (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) Standards
7.1.5.1 JEITA CP-1221
7.1.5.2 JEITA CP-1222
7.1.5.3 JEITA CP-1223
7.1.6 Visible Light Communications Association (VLCA)
7.1.7 ECMA 397-2010
7.1.8 ITU G.9991
7.1.9 ITU Report ITU-R SM.2422-0 (06/2018)
7.1.10 FSF ITU G.640
7.1.11 FSF ITU-R P.1814-2007
7.1.12 FSF ARIB STD-T50 (OPTICAL WIRELESS LAN SYSTEM) v4-2009

8.0 OWC Industry
8.1 VLC/LiFi/OCC Industry
  • Casio
  • Firefly
  • Fraunhofer IPMS
  • Global LiFI Tech
  • Lightbee
  • Nakagawa Laboratories
  • NEC
  • Oledcomm
  • Outstanding Technology
  • PureVLC-PureLiFi
  • Qualcomm
  • Renesas
  • Signify (Philips Lighting)
  • Supreme Architecture
  • VLNComm
  • Zero1
  • 8.2 FSF Industry
  • CableFree
  • CBL
  • Dailianxu Engineering Company
  • fSONA
  • Guilin
  • Nokia
  • Plaintree
  • SA Photonics (a CASI Company)
  • Transcelestial
9.0 OWC Market
9.1 Factors
9.2 Estimate - VLC/LiFi/OCC Markets
9.3    FSF Market
9.3.1 General
9.3.2 Market Drivers and Use Cases
9.3.3 Market Segments
9.3.4 Competition
9.3.4.1 Fiber Optics Systems
9.3.4.2 Microwave
9.3.4.3 PONs
9.3.5 Forecast
9.3.5.1 General
9.3.5.2 Model Assumptions
9.3.5.3 Structure
9.3.5.4 Market Estimate
9.4 VLC and FSF

10.0 Issues
11.0 5G View
11.1 Attocell
11.1.2 Cell Structures
11.2 Advantages of OWC Networking

12.0 Conclusions
Attachment I: OWC - related Patents Survey (2018-2023)

List of Figures
Figure 1: Diagram of Electromagnetic Spectrum
Figure 2: Visible Light Spectrum
Figure 3: OWC Illustration
Figure 4: Use Cases - OWC
Figure 5: OWC Technologies
Figure 6: LED Structure
Figure 7: LED Spectrum
Figure 8: White LED Properties Illustration
Figure 9: Estimate: Lighting LED Market - Global ($B)
Figure 10: LED Price Factor
Figure 11: Cost and Brightness- Light Sources
Figure 12: Illustration: VLC Place
Figure 13: Illustration-VLC Channel
Figure 14: VLC Applications -     Examples
Figure 16: Simplified FSF Channel Diagram
Figure 17: PHY Types
Figure 18: Topologies
Figure 19: OWC Market Categories
Figure 20: Estimate: OWC Technologies Projected Market Size - Global ($B)
Figure 21: OWC Market Geography (2022)
Figure 22:  FSF Market Segments
Figure 23:  Estimate: FSF Global Market Value ($B)
Figure 24:  FSF Market Geography
Figure 25: Hybrid System

List of Tables
Table 1: LED Wavelengths (nm)
Table 2: Properties - Laser vs. LED
Table 3: Light Sources Characteristics
Table 4: VLC vs RF Properties
Table 5: VLC, IR and RF Communications - ITS Applications Comparison
Table 6: Locations Technologies
Table 7: Atmospheric Attenuation
Table 8: VLC Use Cases
Table 9: Devices and Characteristics
Table 10: Comparison: VLC Position Use Case
Table 11: Frequency Plan
Table 12: OCC Types of Modulation
Table 13: OCC Performance Characteristics
Table 14: VLC vs FSF

Companies Mentioned

  • CBL    
  • CableFree    
  • Casio    
  • Dailianxu Engineering Company    
  • FSF Industry    
  • Firefly    
  • Fraunhofer IPMS    
  • Global LiFI Tech    
  • Guilin    
  • Lightbee    
  • NEC    
  • Nakagawa Laboratories    
  • Nokia    
  • Oledcomm    
  • Outstanding Technology    
  • Plaintree    
  • PureVLC-PureLiFi    
  • Qualcomm    
  • Renesas    
  • SA Photonics (a CASI Company)    
  • Signify (Philips Lighting)    
  • Supreme Architecture    
  • Transcelestial
  • VLNComm    
  • Zero1    
  • fSONA    

Methodology

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.

 

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