“Optical Wireless Communications” Technologies, Applications and Market
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 the RF 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 be used to 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 dominate source of illumination; and used also as a transmitting device. The OWC LED-based channels promise to deliver high-speed data in office, home and other environments with high signal-to-noise ratio, and minimum infrastructure expenses.
The report is analyzing the emerging OWC, and particular:
1. Industry
The survey of more than 30 companies’ profiles shows the industry strength and growth.
2. Economics
The markets specifics of VLC/LiFi/OCC and FSF are evaluated (2023-2027).
3. Technologies
The detailed analysis of OWC technologies, their strengths and weaknesses, including the latest developments is provided. The report is addressing the specifics of each OWC technology and compare their functionalities.
4. 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.
5. Applications
The report emphasizes that the spectrum of OWC applications is increasing with each year to support such developments as Intelligent Transportation Systems, Localization and other. Both indoor and outdoor users can appreciate OWC features in multiple instances when compare them with RF transmission.
The report also surveys OWC-related patents.
This report is important to a wide population of researches, 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.
- 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)
- 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
- 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
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