Coexistence of Hybrid VLC-RF and Wi-Fi for Indoor Wireless Communication Systems: An Intelligent Approach
Yuhan Su, Yu‐Chen Lin, Sicong Liu, Minghui Liwang, Xinqin Liao, Tingzhu Wu, Zhong Chen, Xianbin Wang
Abstract
Given the exponential surge in data traffic and the proliferation of connected smart devices, traditional radio frequency (RF)-based wireless communication systems have to confront mounting challenges of spectrum scarcity and access congestion, particularly for networks operated in low-frequency bands. Visible light communication (VLC) technology has emerged as a promising solution, but it has own limitations, including coverage constraints and limited uplink capability, necessitating hybrid systems that leverage VLC and RF. This paper focuses on an indoor hybrid VLC-RF system extending VLC to Wi-Fi’s public spectrum, enabling VLC’s uplink via RF while enhancing system capacity. Yet, integrating VLC-RF with Wi-Fi introduces new challenges due to the coexistence of VLC-RF with existing Wi-Fi systems. To address these challenges, we propose an intelligent coexistence approach, dynamically adjusts duty cycles to ensure fairness and performance optimization between VLC-RF and Wi-Fi. Moreover, a spectrum multiplexing algorithm is introduced in the coexistence approach to enable the hybrid VLC-RF system’s multiplexing transmission on public spectrum, while preserving Wi-Fi system transmission integrity without interference, thereby further optimizing resource utilization. Extensive simulations on a meticulously constructed system-level platform validate our approach, showcasing its efficacy in enhancing system performance while maintaining equitable transmission between hybrid VLC-RF and Wi-Fi systems.