Optical Wireless Transmitter MAC PHY Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical wireless communication (OWC) systems face limitations in increasing data delivery rates, particularly with off-the-shelf luminaires, due to constraints in light source performance, which hinders the achievement of high data rates greater than 1 Gbps, especially when using wave division multiplexing (WDM) and multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technologies.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a single media access control (MAC) layer controlling two physical (PHY) layers with different performance levels, allowing for the management of various light sources and devices, enabling simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices with different capabilities using visible and non-visible light sources, thereby optimizing data transmission efficiency and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single light source is used for OWC transmission, then device complexity is reduced and compatibility with existing luminaires is improved, but data transmission capacity and data rate are limited and cannot achieve greater than 1 Gbps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication function by separating the MAC layer from the PHY layers. A single MAC layer manages multiple independent PHY layers, each capable of driving different light sources. This segmentation allows the system to use multiple light sources for higher data capacity while keeping the control logic centralized and manageable, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission capacity and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The MAC layer is designed as a universal controller that can manage multiple PHY layers with different performance characteristics. This multi-functional MAC layer can adaptively allocate different PHY layers to different light sources based on communication requirements, enabling the system to achieve high data rates when needed while maintaining compatibility with existing single-light-source luminaires.
2Productivity
If WDM and MIMO technologies are used to boost data capacity, then overall capacity increases, but all channels must have the same or very similar bandwidth characteristics which limits flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the MAC layer to selectively activate and manage PHY layers with different bandwidth characteristics. Unlike traditional WDM/MIMO where all channels must have similar characteristics, this system can dynamically allocate PHY layers with varying bandwidths to different light sources based on real-time communication needs, providing flexibility while maintaining high overall capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chips with separate MAC and PHY layers are used to support multiple PHY protocols, then adaptability to different devices is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PHY layer functionalities into a single integrated chip that also contains the MAC layer. This unified design allows the system to support multiple PHY protocols and different light source types within a single chip, eliminating the need for multiple separate chips and thereby reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical wireless communication (OWC) transmitter comprising a baseband chip comprises: a media access control (MAC) layer configured to receive data from a network; a first physical (PHY) layer associated with a first light source; and a second physical (PHY) layer associated with a second light source; wherein the first PHY layer is configured to receive first data from the MAC layer and provide a first signal to the first light source, so as to drive the first light source to emit first modulated light that comprises or is representative of the first data; and the second PHY layer is configured to receive second data from the MAC layer and provide a second signal to the second light source, so as to drive the second light source to emit second modulated light that comprises or is representative of the second data.