LED-to-LED based VLC systems: developments and open problems

Abstract

Visible light communication (VLC) is an emerging short-range wireless communication technology using the unlicensed light spectrum. Light Emitting Diode (LED) is used as VLC transmitter, while photodiodes or image sensors are used as receiver, depending on the applications and hardware constraints. However, LEDs can be used not only as a transmitter, but also as a receiver in applications where cost is of primary concern. LED as a receiver is sensitive to a narrow band of wavelengths, it is robust to sunlight interference and widely available as compared to other light detectors. This paper surveys the potential and limitations of LED-to-LED communication. It also contributes to identifying the challenges and potential research directions in this rising area of interest.