Advances in Hybrid Radio Frequency (RF) and Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The unprecedented high volume of wireless data traffic puts tremendous strain on existing radio frequency (RF) networks. This includes short-range wireless communication technologies such as wireless fidelity (WiFi), which accounts for the majority of Internet protocol traffic. To tackle the looming RF spectrum crisis, future wireless networks will have to exploit other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, including the optical band. Optical wireless communications (OWC), which include visible light communications (VLC), ultraviolet communications, and optical camera communications (OCC), are key enablers for unlocking the vast optical spectrum and providing ultra-high-speed and low-latency wireless connectivity. Despite the great advantages offered by OWC, tackling the limitations of these evolving technologies is critical to developing feasible solutions. For example, VLC coverage is highly susceptible to the line-of-sight path conditions, and, thus, performance could be severely degraded in the presence of a blockage. Another limitation of VLC is the high correlation between the optical subchannels, which means that the multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel can be rank-deficient. Such limiting factors can hinder the full realization of the potential of OWC.

A recently proposed promising approach to ubiquitous indoor wireless connectivity is to combine OWC with existing RF networks to form a hybrid network. As OWC and RF technologies operate in separate frequency bands, there is no interference caused, and the hybrid network is capable of providing enhanced coverage and a greater throughput compared to a stand-alone network. Besides, the concept of combining the functions of illumination and communication has the merit of significantly improving cost savings and reducing carbon footprints.

In light of the above, it is foreseen that the implementation of hybrid networks to augment future wireless communications would require a high and sophisticated level of coordination and optimization. Moreover, hybrid systems require a high level of adaptability to allow the most suitable technology to be used for the most suited scenario, which requires enabling a degree of intelligence and autonomy. The purpose of this Special Issue is to showcase contributions that address fundamental and practical challenges for the efficient design, analysis, and evaluation of hybrid RF-OWC networks. We would like to invite you to submit original papers, case studies, and reviews that address the challenges and potential of hybrid wireless networks.

The topics relevant for this Special Issue include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Network structure design, technical enablers, and business models
• Experimental demonstrations and prototyping
• Resource management optimization in hybrid networks
• Mobility-aware access point selection and load balancing
• Multi-user access and handover techniques
• Hybrid MIMO and massive MIMO
• Physical layer security design and evaluation
• Performance analysis and optimization of hybrid networks
• Internet-of-things applications in hybrid networks
• Machine learning-enabled physical layer design and re-configuration
• The integration of intelligent reconfigurable surfaces with hybrid networks
• Energy-efficient schemes for hybrid networks
• Hybrid LiFi-WiFi networks
• Integration of THz and mmWave communications
• Integration of multiple access techniques with hybrid networks
• Hybrid RF/FSO backhaul in UAV-assisted cellular networks
• Hybrid RF/FSO non-terrestrial networks
• Integration of hybrid wireless access in beyond 5G networks
• Information-theoretic frameworks for hybrid networks
• Hybrid cooperative networks
• Simultaneous lightwave and RF power transfer

Dr. Lina Mohjazi
Dr. Hanaa Abumarshoud
Prof. Dr. Sami Muhaidat
Dr. Panagiotis D. Diamantoulakis
Dr. Hany Elgala
Guest Editors

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