60-GHz Millimeter-Wave over Visible Light Communications for Downlink Wireless Networks

Background and Objective: In this paper, we address potential solution for downlink wireless communications by integrating visible light communications (VLC) with the broadband radio frequency (RF) networks operating at 60 GHz-millimeter wave (mmWave) band. For this hybrid design, the outdoor 60 GHz-mmWave based RF link is utilized to ensure backhaul connectivity for VLC indoor system, while the VLC exploiting the lighting infrastructure that essentially used LEDs as optical source to provide low-cost and high-speed data access. Methods: The hybrid 60 GHz-mmWave/VLC system is analyzed by using 16-QAM OFDM signal, and its performance is investigated by evaluating the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the received signal power distributions, for regular placement of LEDs and random location of receivers within the room. The impact of the transmitter-receiver parameters, and their orientations and directivities are also considered. Results: Numerical results show the efficiency of the proposed system, which can retransmit RF signals at 60 GHz-mmWave band using visible optical carriers in the indoor environment. Conclusion: The results suggest that the hybrid 60 GHz-mmWave/VLC system is able to provide reliable wireless data transmission, making it an attractive solution for downlink indoor communications.