Recent Advances in Visible Light Communication and Positioning Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Next-generation wireless networks will witness an intelligent convergence of radio frequency (RF) and non-RF links such as visible light communication (VLC). As one of the technologies anticipated to be involved in 6G, visible light communication and positioning (VLCP) has attracted a tremendous amount of attention from both academia and industry due to its Gb/s data transmission rate and centimeter-level location accuracy.

Several key research challenges in the VLCP domain include integration with the existing network infrastructures, mobility awareness, channel modeling, joint communication and positioning, customized design in diverse applications, and low-cost solutions. In terms of global development, VLC is standardized both in IEEE (e.g., IEEE 802.15.7, IEEE 802.15.13) and ITU-T (e.g., ITU-T G-9991), and current efforts focus on its integration with WiFi (IEEE 802.11bb) and 3GPP architecture.

Compared to RF-based communication and positioning, VLCP has several unique advantages: i) large unlicensed bands, ii) no interference with existing RF devices, iii) high spatial multiplexing and inherently narrow interception range, iv) high energy efficiency due to its dual-use nature, and v) precise location indicator due to its dominant line-of-sight signals. As evidence of the rapidly growing VLCP market, in December 2021, pureLiFi secured a multi-million-dollar deal to supply the U.S. military with their Kitefin LiFi system.

This Special Issue, therefore, aims to put together original research and review articles on recent advances, technologies, applications, and new challenges in the field of VLCP systems.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• VLCP system design
• VLCP channel modeling
• Spectral efficiency of joint VLCP
• VLCP mobility and integration
• VLCP dimming control
• Non-line-of-sight VLCP
• VLCP front-ends
• VLCP multiplexing and multiple access
• Optical camera communication
• Underwater VLCP
• VLCP in heterogeneous networks
• VLCP in healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation
• Cost-effective VLCP
• Integrated visible light sensing and communication

Dr. Sihua Shao
Dr. Shuai Ma
Dr. Yanbing Yang
Dr. Chen Chen
Guest Editors

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