Visible Light Communications towards 5G

5G networks have to offer extremely high capacity for novel streaming applications. One of the most promising approaches is to embed large numbers of co-operating small cells into the macro-cell coverage area. Alternatively, optical wireless based technologies can be adopted as an alternative physical layer offering higher data rates. Visible light communications (VLC) is an emerging technology for future high capacity communication links (it has been accepted to 5GPP) in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum (~370–780 nm) utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) simultaneously provide data transmission and room illumination. A major challenge in VLC is the LED modulation bandwidths, which are limited to a few MHz. However, myriad gigabit speed transmission links have already been demonstrated. Non line-of-sight (NLOS) optical wireless is resistant to blocking by people and obstacles and is capable of adapting its’ throughput according to the current channel state information. Concurrently, organic polymer LEDs (PLEDs) have become the focus of enormous attention for solid-state lighting applications due to their advantages over conventional white LEDs such as ultra-low costs, low heating temperature, mechanical flexibility and large photoactive areas when produced with wet processing methods. This paper discusses development of such VLC links with a view to implementing ubiquitous broadcasting networks featuring advanced modulation formats such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or carrier-less amplitude and phase modulation (CAP) in conjunction with equalization techniques. Finally, this paper will also summarize the results of the European project ICT COST IC1101 OPTICWISE (Optical Wireless Communications - An Emerging Technology) dealing VLC and OLEDs towards 5G networks

End-to-End Simulation of 5G mmWave Networks

Due to its potential for multi-gigabit and low latency wireless links, millimeter wave (mmWave) technology is expected to play a central role in 5th generation cellular systems. While there has been considerable progress in understanding the mmWave physical layer, innovations will be required at all layers of the protocol stack, in both the access and the core network. Discrete-event network simulation is essential for end-to-end, cross-layer research and development. This paper provides a tutorial on a recently developed full-stack mmWave module integrated into the widely used open-source ns--3 simulator. The module includes a number of detailed statistical channel models as well as the ability to incorporate real measurements or ray-tracing data. The Physical (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers are modular and highly customizable, making it easy to integrate algorithms or compare Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) numerologies, for example. The module is interfaced with the core network of the ns--3 Long Term Evolution (LTE) module for full-stack simulations of end-to-end connectivity, and advanced architectural features, such as dual-connectivity, are also available. To facilitate the understanding of the module, and verify its correct functioning, we provide several examples that show the performance of the custom mmWave stack as well as custom congestion control algorithms designed specifically for efficient utilization of the mmWave channel.Comment: 25 pages, 16 figures, submitted to IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials (revised Jan. 2018

Design of communication systems based on broadband sources for fiber and free space optical links

[ES] Las comunicaciones ópticas inalámbricas (OWC) constituyen una tecnología muy prometedora para el desarrollo de futuras comunicaciones inalámbricas. De hecho, ha despertado un interés creciente entre los investigadores y varias empresas de todo el mundo trabajan actualmente en el desarrollo de redes inalámbricas de muy alta velocidad. Las comunidades científica e industrial consideran la OWC como una tecnología complementaria en sus diversas formas: comunicaciones ópticas en el espacio libre (FSO), comunicaciones de luz visible (VLC) o fidelidad de la luz (Li-Fi). El espectro óptico ha sido considerado durante muchos años como una gran oportunidad para las comunicaciones inalámbricas, especialmente debido a la saturación del espectro de radiofrecuencia (RF). Esta disertación trata del uso de fuentes de banda ancha en sistemas de transmisión de luz visible (VLC), así como en sistemas de transmisión en el espectro infrarrojo por fibra óptica. En el trabajo de investigación realizado se pueden distinguir tres partes: En la primera parte, se considera el estudio y la simulación de componentes de Diodos Emisores de Luz (LED) con el software WIEN2k centrándose en las propiedades ópticas y eléctricas de los elementos II-VI. La segunda parte trata del diseño, la implementación y las pruebas de diferentes prototipos de comunicación VLC para la transmisión analógica y digital en modo simplex y semidúplex. Hemos demostrado un sistema OWC empleando una fuente de banda ancha (LED) para la transmisión no sólo de datos, sino también para la transmisión inalámbrica de energía. Además, se aborda el problema de la sincronización y la detección del nivel "1" o "0" de un bit en los sistemas de comunicación inalámbrica óptica implementados que surge como consecuencia de la atenuación de la luz a lo largo de la distancia y al problema de la pérdida de línea de visión (NLOS) entre el emisor y el receptor. Para hacer frente a este problema, se ha proporcionado un protocolo de comunicación que garantiza la transmisión fiable de datos digitales con un algoritmo de detección de nivel de bits adaptativo y se ha demostrado su eficacia mediante la transmisión de textos e imágenes. Además, esta tesis aporta una solución para la implementación de transmisores multiplexados en redes con división de longitud de onda (WDM) para formatos de modulación con multiplexación por división de frecuencia ortogonal (OFDM) basados en el uso de fuentes de banda ancha en el espectro infrarrojo para redes de fibra bidireccionales centralizadas. A pesar de las limitaciones impuestas por la dispersión cromática en el uso de este tipo de fuentes ópticas, la inclusión de ciertas estructuras antes de la detección permite la transmisión de señales OFDM en enlaces ópticos. En este trabajo se ha demostrado experimentalmente la reutilización de portadoras, la asignación dinámica de ancho de banda y la transmisión de señales OFDM multibanda mediante el uso de fuentes ópticas de banda ancha en redes WDM. Los principales resultados obtenidos en cada parte de esta tesis doctoral muestran los procedimientos de estudio, la eficacia de las soluciones propuestas y las limitaciones encontradas.[CA] Les comunicacions òptiques sense fils (OWC) constitueixen una tecnologia molt prometedora per al desenvolupament de futures comunicacions sense fils. De fet, ha despertat un interés creixent entre els investigadors i diverses empreses de tot el món treballen actualment en el desenvolupament de xarxes sense fils de molt alta velocitat. Les comunitats científica i industrial consideren la OWC com una tecnologia complementària en les seues diverses formes: comunicacions òptiques en l'espai lliure (FSO), comunicacions de llum visible (VLC) o fidelitat de la llum (Li-Fi). L'espectre òptic ha sigut considerat durant molts anys com una gran oportunitat per a les comunicacions sense fils, especialment a causa de la saturació de l'espectre de radiofreqüència (RF). Aquesta dissertació tracta de l'ús de fonts de banda ampla en sistemes de transmissió de llum visible (VLC), així com en sistemes de transmissió en l'espectre infraroig per fibra òptica. En el treball de recerca realitzat es poden distingir tres parts: ¿ En la primera part, es considera l'estudi i la simulació de components de Díodes Emissors de Llum (LED) amb el software WIEN2k centrant-se en les propietats òptiques i elèctriques dels elements II-VI. ¿ La segona part tracta del disseny, la implementació i les proves de diferents prototips de comunicació VLC per a la transmissió analògica i digital de manera simplex i semidúplex. Hem demostrat un sistema OWC emprant una font de banda ampla (LED) per a la transmissió no sols de dades, sinó també per a la transmissió sense fil d'energia. A més, s'aborda el problema de la sincronització i la detecció del nivell "1" o "0" d'un bit en els sistemes de comunicació sense fil òptica implementats, que sorgeix a conseqüència de l'atenuació de la llum al llarg de la distància i al problema de la pèrdua de línia de visió (NLOS) entre l'emissor i el receptor. Per a fer front a aquest problema, s'ha proporcionat un protocol de comunicació que garanteix la transmissió fiable de dades digitals amb un algorisme de detecció de nivell de bits adaptatiu i s'ha demostrat la seua eficàcia mitjançant la transmissió de textos i imatges. ¿ A més, aquesta tesi aporta una solució per a la implementació de transmissors multiplexats en xarxes amb divisió de longitud d'ona (WDM) per a formats de modulació amb multiplexació per divisió de freqüència ortogonal (OFDM) basats en l'ús de fonts de banda ampla en l'espectre infraroig per a xarxes de fibra bidireccionals centralitzades. Malgrat les limitacions imposades per la dispersió cromàtica en l'ús d'aquest tipus de fonts òptiques, la inclusió d'unes certes estructures abans de la detecció permet la transmissió de senyals OFDM en enllaços òptics. En aquest treball s'ha demostrat experimentalment la reutilització de portadores, l'assignació dinàmica d'amplada de banda i la transmissió de senyals OFDM multibanda mitjançant l'ús de fonts òptiques de banda ampla en xarxes WDM. Els principals resultats obtinguts en cada part d'aquesta tesi doctoral mostren els procediments d'estudi, l'eficàcia de les solucions proposades i les limitacions trobades.[EN] Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a very promising technology for future wireless communications developments. It has attracted increasing interest from researchers and several companies around the world are currently working on the development of very high-speed wireless networks. The scientific and industrial communities believe that OWC will be a complementary technology in its various forms: Free Space Optical communications (FSO), Visible Light Communications (VLC), Light Fidelity (Li-Fi). In fact, the optical spectrum has been considered for many years as a great opportunity for wireless communications especially due to the saturation of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. This dissertation deals with the use of broadband sources in visible light transmission systems (VLC) as well as fiber optic systems. To carry out the research, three parts can be distinguished: In the first part, we consider the study and simulation of Light Emitting Diode (LED) components with the WIEN2k software by focusing on the optical and electrical properties of elements II-VI. The second part deals with the design, implementation and testing of different VLC communication prototypes for analog and digital transmission in simplex and half-duplex mode. We have demonstrated that an OWC system using a broadband source (i.e. an LED) can be used not only for data transmission, but also for wireless power transmission. Moreover, the synchronization problem and the detection of level "1" or "0" of a bit often arise in the optical wireless communication systems. This is a result of the attenuation nature of the light over the distance and the problem of Non Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) between the emitter and the receiver. To deal with this problem, a communication protocol ensuring reliable digital data transmission with an adaptive bit level detection algorithm has been provided and its effectiveness has been demonstrated by the transmission of texts and images. In addition, this thesis provides a solution for the implementation of wavelength division multiplexed - orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (WDM-OFDM) transmitters based on the use of broadband sources in the infrared spectrum for centralized bidirectional fiber networks. Despite the chromatic dispersion that avoids the use of this type of optical sources, the inclusion of certain structures before detection allows the transmission of OFDM signals in optical links. Carrier reuse, dynamic bandwidth allocation and multiband OFDM signals transmission will be experimentally demonstrated by using optical broadband sources in WDM networks. The main results obtained during this thesis work demonstrate the study procedures, for each part, the effectiveness of the proposed solutions as well as the constraints encountered.Sekkiou, I. (2021). Design of communication systems based on broadband sources for fiber and free space optical links [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172542TESI

Millimeter Wave Systems for Airports and Short-Range Aviation Communications: A Survey of the Current Channel Models at mmWave Frequencies

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications will play a key role in enhancing the throughput, reliability, and security of next generation wireless networks. These advancements are achieved through the large bandwidth available in this band and through the use of highly directional links that will be used to overcome the large pathloss at these frequencies. Although the terrestrial application of mmWave systems is advancing at a rapid pace, the use of mmWave communication systems in aviation systems or airports is still in its infancy. This can be attributed to the challenges related to radio technology and lack of development, and characterization of mmWave wireless channels for the aviation field and the airport environment. Consequently, one of our goals is to develop methodologies that support mmWave air to ground links, and various links at airports, by applying new localization schemes that allow for application of highly directional links that can be deployed over longer distances despite the high path loss at mmWave frequencies. However, a very thorough understanding of the mmWave channel models are needed to enable such new applications. To this end, in this paper, we present a survey of the current channel models in the mmWave band. The 3-dimensional statistical channel model is also reviewed and its parameters and typical characteristics for this model are identified and computed through simulation for the Boise metropolitan area

Beam-forming module for backhaul link in a Relay-aided 4G network

YesA novel beam-forming module based on Wilkinson power divider technology, including attenuators and phase shifter chips is designed, fabricated and evaluated to be incorporated in a Relay Station connecting it with the Base Station under a 4G network. The proposed module is a 1:8 port circuit, utilizing two substrates, providing approximately 700 MHz bandwidth over 3.5 GHz frequency band and less than −20 dB transmission line coupling. Moreover an external control unit that feeds the beam-forming module with code-words that define the proper amplitude/phase of the excitation currents is established and described. The presented module is connected to a planar array and tested for two beam-forming scenarios, providing satisfactory radiation patterns

NOVEL OFDM SYSTEM BASED ON DUAL-TREE COMPLEX WAVELET TRANSFORM

The demand for higher and higher capacity in wireless networks, such as cellular, mobile and local area network etc, is driving the development of new signaling techniques with improved spectral and power efficiencies. At all stages of a transceiver, from the bandwidth efficiency of the modulation schemes through highly nonlinear power amplifier of the transmitters to the channel sharing between different users, the problems relating to power usage and spectrum are aplenty. In the coming future, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology promises to be a ready solution to achieving the high data capacity and better spectral efficiency in wireless communication systems by virtue of its well-known and desirable characteristics. Towards these ends, this dissertation investigates a novel OFDM system based on dual-tree complex wavelet transform (D