False alarm error correction for structural similarity index measure enhancement in visible light communication systems

We present a comprehensive performance analysis of image transmission over a visible light communication (VLC) system employing the pulse position modulation technique. We primarily evaluate image quality under variable transmission distances by utilizing the structural similarity index measure. To address false alarm errors occurring in the most significant bit of image pixels—an error type frequently observed in VLC systems—we propose an error correction scheme, referred to as false alarm error correction (FAEC). The FAEC algorithm effectively corrects these errors without requiring additional coding or redundant bits, thereby preserving system throughput while enhancing communication reliability. This constitutes one of the key advantages of the proposed method. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that FAEC provides a modest improvement in bit error rate. However, it yields substantial gains in image quality metrics such as the structural similarity index measure. These findings emphasize the critical role of the most significant bit errors in visual quality, underscoring their significant impact on overall system performance.