Impact of lighting requirements on VLC systems

Advances in solid-state lighting (SSL) are enabling LEDs to be the dominant source for future human-made light. The adoption of LEDs is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and facilitate precise intensity and color control of illuminated spaces. SSL also makes possible the use of visible light communications (VLC), in which data are emitted from luminaires through subtle intensity variations. This article focuses on the impact of lighting requirements on VLC systems, especially as found in indoor deployment scenarios. We also consider dimming control and its impact on color quality in the context of measured vs. perceived light levels.