Visible-light communication multiple-input multiple-output technology for indoor lighting, communication, and positioning

Visible-light communication (VLC) is license free and electromagnetic-interference free; it thus can be deployed in radio-frequency forbidden areas. The light-emitting diode (LED) system providing simultaneously lighting, VLC, and positioning is highly desirable for providing real-time tracking, monitoring, and navigating with very little extra cost. We propose and demonstrate a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) VLC-positioning system using white-light LEDs. Our scheme is based on MIMO to provide both position and VLC. Experimental results show that the proposed MIMO VLC system can achieve a bit-error rate of 10−10, while the positioning errors are within 1 cm. Numerical analyses are also performed, showing the positioning error can be measured within 1 cm. Further analysis of tilting angle of the receiver is also presented.