Visible Light Will Penetrate the M2M Communication Technology

VLC Technology (Visible light communication) is one of the advanced optical wireless communication technologies, in which light in the visible region (375nm - 780nm) is used as a medium for data transmission is more secure and achieves high data rates as compared to conventional wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wimax etc., that use radio waves for communication. Till late 1990s infrared spectrum is used for the communication. But in the early 2000s, researchers started using visible light from LEDs as the medium for communication. Initially they were able to achieve network speed about 100 Kbps. With continuous developments, VLC systems can now achieve about 800Mpbs data rate for short range communications. Many companies and research institutes are conducting research to develop and commercialize Gigabit networks for long range communications.

FSO is based on the same principle as VLC, but it uses light in the IR spectrum for communication. Invention RONJA device in 2001, which can achieve 10Mbps network speed over 0.87 miles boosted the research activities in the FSO technology. FSO was initially used for outdoor communication applications. But in the recent times, indoor applications like enterprise connectivity, hospitals are increasing.

Reliability and network coverage are the major issues to be considered by companies while providing VLC services. Interferences from an external light source such as the sunlight, normal bulbs, and opaque materials in the patch of transmission will cause interruption in the communication. High installation cost of the VLC systems can be complemented by the large scare implementation of the VLC. Adopting VLC technology will reduce further operating costs like electricity charges, maintenance charges, etc.

Visible light communication technology is still in the introductory phase. Indoor networking and location based services are the only applications that are currently penetrated into the market. Products for other applications such as intelligent traffic management system, in-flight entertainment, and underwater communication are expected to enter the market by the end of 2013. VLC is implemented as a complementary technology to the existing wireless networks, and is expected to penetrate M2M communication, smart cities, power over Ethernet (PoE), a wireless sensor network, ubiquitous networks, augmented reality etc. after five years.

Unlike VLC technology, FSO technology is commercialized in the market for quite some time. FSO technology is majorly used in military & aerospace applications due to its secure and high speed data transmission rates. FSO is expected to be deployed in MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), service accelerating, last mile connectivity etc. applications in the future.

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