Wayfinding in complex buildings using visible light communication

M. Vieira, M. A. Vieira, Paula Louro, Alessandro Fantoni, Pedro Vieira

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper investigates the applicability of an intuitive wayfinding system in complex buildings using Visible Light Communication (VLC). Typical scenarios include: finding places, like a particular shop or office, guiding users across different floors, and through elevators and stairs. Data from the sender is encoded, modulated and converted into light signals emitted by the transmitters. Tetra-chromatic white sources are used providing a different data channel for each chip. At the receiver side, the modulated light signal, containing the ID and the 3D geographical position of the transmitter and wayfinding information, is received by a SiC photodetector with light filtering and demultiplexing properties. Since lighting and wireless data communication is combined, each luminaire for downlink transmission becomes a single cell, in which the optical access point (AP) is located in the ceiling and the mobile users are scattered across the overlap discs of each cell, underneath. The light signals emitted by the LEDs are interpreted directly by the receivers of the positioned users. Bidirectional communication is tested. The effect of the location of the Aps is evaluated and a 3D model for the cellular network is analyzed. In order to convert the floorplan to a 3D geometry, a tandem of layers in a orthogonal topology is tested, and a 3D localization design, demonstrated by a prototype implementation, is presented. Uplink transmission is implemented, and the 3D best route to navigate through venue is calculated. Buddy wayfinding services are also considered. The results showed that the dynamic VLC navigation system enables to determine the position of a mobile target inside the network, to infer the travel direction along the time, to interact with received information and to optimize the route towards a static or dynamic destination.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPhysics and Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices XXVIII
EditorsBernd Witzigmann, Marek Osinski, Yasuhiko Arakawa
PublisherSPIE-International Society for Optical Engineering
ISBN (Electronic)9781510633117
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
EventPhysics and Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices XXVIII 2020 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 3 Feb 20206 Feb 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
PublisherSPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume11274
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferencePhysics and Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices XXVIII 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period3/02/206/02/20

Keywords

  • Bidirectional Communication
  • Indoor multi-level environments
  • Indoor navigation
  • Multiplexing/demultiplexing techniques
  • Optical sensors
  • Transmitter/receiver
  • Visible Light Communication
  • Wayfinding

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