Some Design Issues in Infrared Wireless Networks

Abstract

In this paper, some issues involved in the design of optical wireless networks are highlighted. Merits and demerits of such networks over the RF networks are given. Sources of noise in indoor optical wireless networks, transmission techniques and modulation schemes used in these networks are discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

V K Jain

Virander K Jain obtained his MSc (Tech) in Electronics from BITS Pilani in 1973 and PhD in Communications from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1982. During 1978–82, he has worked with the Research Department, All India Radio, New Delhi. Since 1982, he has been on the faculty of Electrical Engineering Department, IIT, Delhi and currently he is a Professor. Prof Jain has worked at the British Telecom Research Laboratories, Ipswich, UK; Institute of Communication Technology, German Aerospace Research Establishment, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany; Fachhochschule Düsseldorf, Germany; Fondazione Ugo Bordoni, Rome, Italy. He has visited the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy several times. He has been visiting Professor with the Electrical Engineering Department, Fachhochschule Düsseldorf, University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany during September 2002-June 2003 under DAAD-Guest Lecture Programme of German Academic Exchange Service, Germany.

Dr Jain's research interests include Digital Communication Systems, Signal Detection in Noise and ISI, Optical Communications and Computer Networks. He has published 71 research papers/reports in various national and international journals. He is coauthor of the books “Optical Communication Systems” and “Optical Communications: Components and Systems”. He is recipient of National Scholarship; British Government TCTP Award; Associate Membership, ICTP, Italy; Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Germany; Grant under TRIL Programme of ICTP, Italy.

J H Franz

Jürgen H Franz received the Engineering degree from the Technical University, Munich in 1983 and PhD degree from the same University in 1987. He worked as a Scientist at the Technical University Munich from 1983 to 1989 and at the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR) from 1989 to 1992. His research area was Future Optical Fiber and Space Communication Systems. He was head of the Optical Space Communication group at the DLR during 1989–91 and later he became Head of the Department of Optical Communications.

In 1992, he moved to University of Applied Sciences Duesseldorf as a Professor for Telecommunication Engineering and Optical Communication. In 1993, 1996 and 1997 he visited the Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi as a guest Professor.

He has been the Chairperson of several workshops and conferences. He has published a large number of research papers/reports in various national and international journals. He has authored a book on Coherent Optical Fiber Communications (in German) and co-authored two books on Optical Communication Systems and Components (in English). His current interests are: new applications of optical communications, e.g. optical homenets, advanced multimedia E-Learning tools, and technical assessment. He is a member of IEEE, ITG, Umweltakademie, DGPhil and other organizations.