Ray-tracing based channel modeling for the simulation of the performance of visible light communication in an indoor environment

Abstract

Ray-tracing based channel modeling is a powerful tool for the determination of the channel characteristics of VLC settings. In order to overcome the huge computational effort that is necessary in this regard, new strategies for less time-consuming ray-tracing based channel models are essential. Here we introduce a channel model that is based on optical simulations using non-sequential ray-tracing in combination with selfdeveloped algorithms in MATLAB. In addition, we discuss an approach, which allows for a time-effective determination of the dependence of the receiver position on the VLC characteristics along the diagonal of the floor of a room. Raytracing information of each ray impinging on a diagonal stripe (with a width of $\sim1.41$ cm) is exported to MATLAB for further analysis. By doing so, 26 different receiver positions along the diagonal axis of a room can be investigated using only one raytracing simulation run instead of repeating ray-tracing simulations for each of the 26 receiver positions. The error made by this simulation approach turns out to be negligible because of the small ratio between the area or the receiver stripe and the area of the whole floor.