ISSN 2321 3361 © 2017 IJESC

Research Article Volume 7 Issue No.5

Analysis of Handover in VLC Systems

Snigdh Bhalotia1, Shubham Sagar2, Dr. Jabeena .A3
Associate Professor3
Department of ECE
Department of Communication Engineering
VIT, University, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract:
Visible Light Communication is the future of communication [1]. The speeds received are considerably faster than RF transmission
[2]. Even though in its early years right now, VLC holds the potential to be the primary indoor communication channels in the near
future [3]. Our project deals with analyzing handover in most basic cost effective VLC systems. The analysis is done using MATLAB
software to show handover based on received power. We have implemented the system in hardware using the most basic LEDs and a
couple of arduinos.

I. INTRODUCTION we can move receiver sliders to adjust the position of the

The first main task of this project was to get our hands on a pair
of VLC transceivers. However in the process we managed to
come across a design that is extremely cost effective and is
perfect for further experimentation and analysis Handover,
ranges and many other factors are analyzed which helped us
analyze the feasibility of the system. This is mostly analyzed
using hardware. Using MATLAB, we have implemented an
algorithm for handover based on power reception from
transmitters. A room environment is created with multi
transmitters where a mobile receiver is analyzed for power from
different transmitters at different positions of the receiver. A
handover in a communication system is basically a transfer of the
connection of receiver from one transmitter to the other [4]. A
handover can be done in many ways. Such as,
 Breaking connection from previous transmitter and then
connecting to the latter one.
 Making connection from the next transmitter and then
disconnecting from previous [5].
We will be analyzing handovers in VLC systems.
The importance of this project is to analyze the continuity of
signal in a cheap VLC system to reduce cost factor for future
designs. Our analysis of this system will help us to know VLC
systems better and give an insight to receiving signals. This
analysis is really important as there are many designs of VLC
systems coming up.
II. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
A. Software
The software design consists of a room environment which has 4
transmitters. The distance of the transmitters from the origin can
be adjusted dynamically using the slider in the GUI. Once the
distance is set, using another slider, the irradiance angle of the
transmitters is adjusted. The switches can be used to turn
particular transmitters on or off. The plot for the power
distribution and coverage area of transmitters will appear. Now,
receiver. The power levels of each transmitter in the receiver will
be displayed. This power received is calculated based on channel
gains. The transmitter with the maximum power will be the
current transmitter.
B. Hardware
Figure.1. Hardware
The hardware design we used was very simple and cost effective.
We used two arduinos for the two transmitters. We coded the
transmitters to modulate the signal that we were transmitting
using the code. The output of the arduinos was fed directly to the
LEDs. We transmitted different data from both transmitters.
Another Arduino was used at the receiver to demodulate the
received signal. We implemented an algorithm to determine the
transmitter connected to the receiver. This equipment was kept in
a room environment inside a cardboard with two sections for the
two transmitters. The receiver was moved in the room
environment and results were noted. We finally used the green
LEDs for the analysis as they were giving the best output. The
code used Manchester coding mechanism to code and decode as
it is widely used for optical communication [6]. Baud rate of
115200 was used in serial communication [6]. Message is sent in
infinite loop to keep track of if the signal is being received
successfully. The transmitter was made into a 4*4 matrix to
increase range and angle of transmitter. Results were noted for
range, LED type, angle and size of matrix.

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III. RESULTS
C. Software
The following image shows the room environment we have
created. You can see the first graph showing the transmitters in
the room. The second graph is showing the power distribution.
We can adjust the receiver position again in graph 1 using the
sliders. We will then see the values below the graph which will
tell us the power being received by the receiver from each
transmitter. The max power contributing transmitter will be
connected to the receiver.
The four peaks in the graph can be interpreted as the region of
maximum power directly under the four transmitters [9]. The
power values can be seen by moving the receivers. We can
conclude from the power levels that the receiver is connected to
the transmitter which is closest to it.
D. Hardware:
Initially it took time for us to figure out the apt components to
use for the project. We firstly tried to transfer data using single
LED to LED communication. We did not achieve any output. We
then tried to use a photodiode and did not achieve any progress.
Finally we were able to transmit data using a phototransistor at
the receiver. We then tried to test transmission with red, green
and blue LED’s. We got the maximum range of transmission
from Red LED at 90 cms. Then we got about 63 cms from the
green one. And then the least with blue one at 42 cms. We then
used a 4x4 matrix of green LEDs to form our transmitter. The
matrix made the transmission more reliable. We could receive at
a better range and better angles too. The handover took place
easily while moving the receiver from the area of one transmitter
to the other. A power based algorithm was implemented in the
International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, May 2017
receiver which chose the transmitter giving higher power at a
particular position [10].
Red Green LED Blue
LED LED
Range 90 cms 63 cms 42 cms
Irradiance 20 Deg 35 Deg 62 Deg
Angle
IV. SCOPE OF IMPROVEMENT
E. Software
There is a lot of scope for improvement in the software version
we have created. Firstly, a better algorithm can be worked out
which can balance the space between the transmitters and
irradiance angle as to give the best efficiency and power
distribution. A better algorithm can be implemented for the basis
for handover in the system. Better transmitters and receiver
designs can be used.
F. Hardware
There is always a great scope for improvement for hardware.
Better microcontrollers can be used at the transmitters and
receivers. Better LED light and better receivers can be used. The
coding and decoding mechanism can be improved. The
environment can be improved to promote light communication
and decrease noise. An algorithm can be worked to adjust the
threshold of the receiver according to the input power received.
All these steps are important to increase the range, reliability and
dependability of the system.
V. CONCLUSION
We can conclude from the software analysis that the receiver
generally connects to the nearest transmitter. We can conclude
from the hardware analysis that the best emitters are closer to
RED while poor ones are closer to Blue. We also concluded that
the blue ones give a better angle compared to the Red.
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