Optical Wireless Communications System for Secure Information Exchange

Abstract

Currently in our society, many of the devices we use in our daily lives operate within the restricted and crowded Radio Frequency (RF) bandwidths. Overcoming this challenge presents a unique opportunity to utilize the free space optical standard further into future technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks. Furthermore, we examined the design parameters, compared the uses of optical communication to current market 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency (RF) solutions with the emphasis directed to the physical layer security of the data link. An overview of the prototype system describes the design and characterizations of an indoor free space optical system comprised of both a transmitter and receiver circuit. Additional simulations and experimental results show a proof of concept of system reliability for applications such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) along with benchmarks such as high-speed data transmission bit rate over the span of various distances of the free space channel.