IEEE 802.15.7-compliant Full Duplex Visible Light Communication: Interference Analysis and Experimentation

This paper presents a thorough investigation into the contrasting dynamics of full-duplex and half-duplex communication within the framework of visible light communication (VLC) networks compliant with the IEEE 802.15.7 standard. The main contributions of this research deal with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) implementation, experimental data acquisition, interference evaluation, and performance assessment. In particular, the study delves into implementing both full-duplex and half-duplex communication schemes using FPGA technology for vehicular communications compliant to the IEEE 802.15.7 standard. Full-duplex is obtained by simultaneously transmitting over the same optical channel, without any multiplexing or access division strategy. Through experimental data acquisition, the paper provides a detailed comparison of the two communication schemes, shedding light on their respective strengths and limitations. Furthermore, the paper introduces an interference evaluation framework, which contributes to the understanding of the real benefits of full-duplex VLC through theoretical modeling of the interference and experimental validation. The performance evaluation section quantifies key metrics, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the overall efficacy of full-duplex and half-duplex VLC systems in a vehicular network context. This research offers a perspective on the practical implications and trade-offs associated with adopting either half- and full-duplex VLC communication paradigm, paving the way for informed decision-making in the design and deployment of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) based on IEEE 802.15.7 networks.