Indoor free space optical communications for aircraft passenger cabin

The use of infrared radiation as a medium for high speed and short-range application is proposed for communication in the aircraft passenger cabin since it does not cause any interference to aircraft navigation systems. In this paper: first of all, using Lambert's model, the power received at the receiver via single reflection propagation inside the cabin was modeled. Then, the free space loss which depends on distance and height of transmitter and receiver from ceiling was calculated. Thirdly, in order to estimate the multipath power penalty, from the impulse response model, the delays spread dispersions and mean delays, which are related to reflection patterns and the distance between transmitter and receiver were derived and modeled. Finally, ceiling bounce model was developed to obtain the impulse response and 3dB cut off frequency. After modeling in the passenger aircraft cabin, the results are the minimum power received and the maximum bud-rate that is available to be achieved.