Data Transmission using Visible Light Communication

The demand placed on wireless technology which uses Radio Frequency (RF) in the present society is growing exponentially. In the near future, due to the limited bandwidth of RF spectrum, these resources will reach an overload point. A technique of contradicting the radio frequency spectrum issue is the use of Visible Light Spectrum. Light-Fidelity (Li-Fi) is a research field which uses the visible light band within the Visible Light Communication (VLC). This paper describes the research about VLC, the design method and testing of a VLC prototype using UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) module. The design method consists of serial communication module written in python called pySerial to convert the file data to stream of bits to be sent via LED. The designed prototype is simple, cheap and provides a concrete base for fellow researchers to work further in this field. The principle of VLC is effectively exhibited in this prototype. Also, the feasibility of writing the codes in Python language, proper electronic components used to process bit wise data signals and advantages of serial communication for data transfer are successfully displayed. VLC has major application in indoor communication, underwater communication and in hospitals where radio waves causes Electromagnetic Interference.