Robust Transmitter Detection Method for Realizing Long-Distance Visible Light Communication Using Light-Trail Surface by Propeller LED Transmitter

This paper aims to enhance underwater visible light communication using a propeller LED transmitter (P-Tx) and receiver camera. Our goal is to improve the operational efficiency of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that survey ocean resources. P-Tx is a rotating device with blinking LEDs. By rotating P-Tx, we can generate a pseudo surface with successive light trails (light-trail surface). This technology allows the ROV to track the transmitting ROV and receive data simultaneously without mechanically adjusting the optical axis. However, with increasing distance between P-Tx and the receiver, the light gradually decreases in intensity from the edge of the light-trail surface, causing the receiver to fail to track accurately. This study proposes a robust transmitter detection method that utilizes the characteristics of the light-trail surface and improves the detecting accuracy of P-Tx on the receiving side. We show that the proposed method achieves higher transmitter detection accuracy than the conventional one.