Novel channel models for visible light communications

In this paper, we investigate channel modeling for visible light communications (VLC) using non-sequential ray tracing simulation tools. We create three dimensional realistic simulation environments to depict indoor scenarios specifying the geometry of the environment, the objects inside, the reflection characteristics of the surface materials as well as the characteristics of the transmitter and receivers, i.e., LED sources and photodioes. Through ray tracing simulations, we compute the received optical power and the delay of direct/indirect rays which are then used to obtain the channel impulse response (CIR). Following this methodology, we present CIRs for a number of indoor environments including empty/furnished rectangular rooms with different sizes and wall/object materials (e.g., plaster, gloss paint, wood, aluminum metal, glass) assuming deployment of both single and multiple LED transmitters. We further quantify multipath channel parameters such as delay spread and channel DC gain for each configuration and provide insights into the effects of indoor environment parameters (e.g., size, wall/object materials, etc.), transmitter/receiver specifications (e.g., single vs. multiple transmitters, location, rotation etc.) on the channel.