Movable Access Point-Aided Integrated Visible Light Communication and Sensing Networks

Abstract

The emergence of visible light communication (VLC) provides a promising low-cost, radiation-free, and energy-efficient solution to the limited spectrum of wireless networks. However, the design issues of line-of-sight (LOS) blockage, user mobility support, random device orientation, and the limited field-of-view of VLC access points (APs) and receivers have delayed its adoption. This letter explores the use of movable AP (MAP) technology to address these issues in a visible light based joint communication and sensing system. First, a system model for a MAP-aided integrated visible light communication and sensing (IVLCS) network is proposed. Then, a non-convex optimization problem is formulated to maximize the aggregate sum rate and sensing mutual information (MI) by jointly optimizing MAPs’ position and user association. A low-complexity algorithm that obtains a locally optimal solution is proposed by leveraging the difference of convex functions and the majorization-minimization technique. Simulation results reveal that the proposed MAP-aided IVLCS system is more robust against link blockages, provides mobility support and can significantly enhance aggregate sum rate and MI compared to a fixed AP system.