Frequency optimization for visible light communication based on carrier allocation in offset OFDM

Visible light communication (VLC) has many issues, including realizing complex modulations, increasing data rate, addressing the light emitting diode (LED) bandwidth limitation, and achieving multiservice capabilities such as for location-based service (LBS). Therefore, we investigated frequency optimization for VLC parameters such as offset OFDM frequency location, allocated RF signal frequency location, allocated RF signal input power, operating point, and clipping. We experimentally demonstrated the characteristics of the proposed system. The results show that received offset frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) can achieve a 12-Mbps data rate with a BER of 8 × 10−4. Additionally, the received allocated RF signal can satisfy a BER requirement of 10−4 after conversion from its EVM. The transmission distance was 1.8 m in an indoor environment when using white LED. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1431–1437, 2014