Visible Light Communication System Based on Alignment Between Transmitter and Receiver for Underground Mining Environments

Visible Light Communication (VLC) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional radio frequency (RF) systems, especially in environments where RF usage is limited or inefficient, such as underground mines. Recent studies have demonstrated VLC’s potential in enclosed spaces due to its low energy consumption, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the ability to reuse existing lighting infrastructure. In this context, a VLC system was developed based on the IEEE 802.15.7 standard, using OOK modulation and Manchester coding, aimed at functioning in both controlled environments (offices) and hostile environments (specifically, the El Chancón underground mine). Light intensity measurements were taken using LDR and luxmeter sensors at various distances and angles to evaluate signal quality and estimate the Bit Error Rate (BER). The collected data was fitted with polynomial models to predict light behavior, allowing comparisons between sensors and system adaptation to real conditions. Additionally, an active tracking system was implemented using an LDR to automatically align the photodetector with the LED transmitter, enhancing communication efficiency and reducing BER. Results show that while indoor environments offer higher light intensity, the mine environment allows for greater transmission range, confirming the potential of VLC with adaptive alignment in challenging scenarios.