Simulation of heterogeneous optical channel for indoor wireless infrared communications

There are different technological solutions to satisfy the growing demand of indoor wireless local area networks (WLANs). As a first approach, such solutions can be classified in two distinct areas: those using radio frequency (RF) carriers and those employing infrared radiation. A method to obtain the impulse response of a wireless indoor channel, to be excited with an intensity modulated infrared carrier, is presented. This procedure allows to simulate the behaviour of the channel-walls, windows and ceiling of a room-when a nondirective infrared link is considered. As in office environments there are white-coloured ceiling along with wide glass surfaces, either diffuse or specular properties, with variable reflection coefficients, can be assigned to contours. Therefore, it is possible to simulate almost every actual room arrangement. Once the obtained data have been processed, guidelines about recommended receiver positions can be stated