Coexistence of Hybrid VLC-RF and Wi-Fi for Indoor Wireless Communication Systems: An Intelligent Approach

Abstract

Given the exponential surge in data traffic and the proliferation of connected smart devices, traditional radio frequency (RF)-based wireless communication systems have to confront mounting challenges of spectrum scarcity and access congestion, particularly for networks operated in low-frequency bands. Visible light communication (VLC) technology has emerged as a promising solution, but it has own limitations, including coverage constraints and limited uplink capability, necessitating hybrid systems that leverage VLC and RF. This paper focuses on an indoor hybrid VLC-RF system extending VLC to Wi-Fi’s public spectrum, enabling VLC’s uplink via RF while enhancing system capacity. Yet, integrating VLC-RF with Wi-Fi introduces new challenges due to the coexistence of VLC-RF with existing Wi-Fi systems. To address these challenges, we propose an intelligent coexistence approach, dynamically adjusts duty cycles to ensure fairness and performance optimization between VLC-RF and Wi-Fi. Moreover, a spectrum multiplexing algorithm is introduced in the coexistence approach to enable the hybrid VLC-RF system’s multiplexing transmission on public spectrum, while preserving Wi-Fi system transmission integrity without interference, thereby further optimizing resource utilization. Extensive simulations on a meticulously constructed system-level platform validate our approach, showcasing its efficacy in enhancing system performance while maintaining equitable transmission between hybrid VLC-RF and Wi-Fi systems.