Channel modeling for visible light communications—a survey

Visible light communication (VLC) is a newly emerging technology, which integrates communications and lighting purposes, and has become a very active research topic in the areas of wireless communications. It is expected to become an important part of the next generation wireless communications because of its unique features in using unlicensed spectrum, support of high data rate, and its resistance to electromagnetic interferences. In this survey paper, we begin with a review on the basis of photometry, which is used to establish channel models of VLC systems. Then, we will continue to address various issues on the fundamental characteristic features of VLC systems, the impact of indoor environments on system performance, and the analysis and discussions of five different types of typical VLC channel models and other related parameters in VLC channel models. Finally, in terms of the future works, we will show the possible follow-up research focuses and directions as an effort to identify some new research topics on VLCs.