Integration of RF and VLC systems

As the lighting industry moves toward long-lasting solid-state luminaires, advanced systems will begin to integrate novel use cases into the lighting infrastructure. The proliferation of wireless devices and the demand for wireless access in indoor environments create a synergy between the wireless communications and indoor lighting industries. Since wireless traffic demand is at its highest in areas where artificial lighting is already in place, it makes perfect sense to incorporate novel wireless access technologies into the lighting infra structure. This chapter focuses on the integration of visible light communication (VLC) with radio-frequency (RF) networks in order to provide additional wire less capacity in areas where RF is challenged with meeting the growing demand. We review current trends in wireless network access, provide an overview of VLC, and detail the requirements for implementation of such an integrated system.