Solid-State Lighting Wavelength Diversity for Visible Light Communication Bandwidth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state lighting technologies face constraints on bandwidth and throughput when communicating data via visible light, limiting their widespread use despite the advantages of using established LED infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state lighting fixture with two groups of light elements emitting different wavelengths, modulated by a light control module to convey separate data subsets undetectable to the human eye, enhancing communication robustness and bandwidth through wavelength diversity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is communicated via visible light using solid-state lighting devices, then communication capability is enabled, but bandwidth and throughput are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication channel by dividing the visible light spectrum into multiple wavelength channels. Each wavelength channel (e.g., different LED colors) can independently modulate and transmit data, effectively creating parallel communication paths that increase overall bandwidth and throughput while maintaining reliable communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-wavelength communication to multi-wavelength communication by utilizing the spectral dimension of visible light. This dimensional expansion allows multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously at different wavelengths, dramatically increasing bandwidth without compromising communication reliability.
2Productivity
If light output is modulated at high frequency for data communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but light modulation becomes undetectable to human eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of light output at frequencies above the human visual detection threshold (typically >200 Hz). This periodic action enables data encoding through frequency-domain multiplexing while maintaining continuous illumination perception, allowing high-speed data transmission without disrupting the visual comfort or detectability of the lighting.
3Reliability
If multiple wavelengths are used for communication, then wavelength diversity and communication robustness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes solid-state lighting devices (LEDs) that inherently possess multi-functionality: they serve both as illumination sources and as communication transmitters. By leveraging the existing multi-wavelength capability of LED arrays (different colors), the system achieves wavelength diversity for robust communication without requiring additional dedicated communication hardware, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively doubles data transfer capacity while maintaining continuous light perception for human eyes, improving the communication network's efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
One such technology that shows tremendous promise employs light emitting diodes (LEDs). Compared with incandescent bulbs, LED lighting devices are much more efficient at converting electrical energy into light
Implementation Method 2
many technologies have focused on modulating the light output of one or more solid-state lighting devices to create a network in which data is communicated via visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state lighting fixture includes a first group of solid-state light elements, a second group of solid-state light elements, and a light control module. The first group of solid-state light elements is configured to emit visible light at a first wavelength. The second group of solid-state light elements is configured to emit light at a second wavelength, which is different from the first wavelength. The light control module is configured to modulate the light emitted from the first group of solid-state light elements and modulate the light emitted from the second group of solid-state light elements, respectively, such that the modulation pattern of the emitted light from each one of the first group of solid-state light elements and the second group of solid-state light elements communicates a first subset of data and a second subset of data, respectively, while being undetectable to the human eye.