Optimization of a triangular PFDR antenna in a fully diffuse OW system influenced by background noise and multipath propagation

Optical wireless (OW) systems are generally impaired by multipath propagation and directional interference in the form of background noise. We present original results for a fully diffuse OW system that employs a novel triangular pyramidal fly-eye diversity receiver (PFDR). The received pulse shapes are evaluated at various locations on the communication floor and the background noise collected on the three faces of the pyramid is determined. It is demonstrated that, through optimization of the PFDR field-of-view, the directional background interference can be reduced and that the received pulse shape can be improved. The computed error probability shows a marked improvement when our optimized PFDR antenna is used instead of the conventional photodetector used in traditional diffuse optical wireless systems.