SWIPT-NOMA Enabled Hybrid VLC/RF System for Dynamic Indoor Workspaces

Hybrid visible light communication (VLC)/ radio frequency (RF) systems offer a promising solution for indoor wireless communication by leveraging the strengths of both technologies. RF provides robust, long-range communication, while VLC offers high data rates and security, making their combination ideal for diverse applications in indoor environments. Integrating simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) further enhances these hybrid systems by enabling efficient energy harvesting and higher spectrum utilization. In this paper, we consider user mobility in a SWIPT-NOMA enabled hybrid VLC/RF system with predictive handover mechanisms, namely, immediate vertical handover (IVHO) and dwell vertical handover (DVHO). We analyze the transfer delay and the throughput performance between VLC and RF access points to ensure a reliable and seamless connectivity to the mobile users. Through simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed SWIPT-NOMA-based handover strategy significantly outperforms traditional NOMA-based handover methods, offering improved reliability and efficiency in a dynamic indoor scenario.