Performance analysis of 8-bit ODACs for VLC applications

Abstract

A discrete optical power level stepping technique in visible light communication (VLC), also known, as an optical digital to analog conversion (ODAC) has been proposed. This is an alternative concept for VLC front-end design, able to mitigate the LED intrinsic non-linearity. Additionally, it removes the need of an electrical digital to analog conversion (EDAC) in the driver stage. This paper provides an experimental evaluation of two different ODAC front-ends. The results investigate the spatial relation between the optical front-end and the optical receiver. In addition, the performance evaluation employs dynamic test metrics rather than conventional static metrics previously reported in the literature.