3.2 Gigabit-per-second Visible Light Communication Link with InGaN/GaN MQW Micro-photodetector

Abstract

This paper presents the first demonstration of InGaN multiple quantum well (MQW) based micro-photodetectors (µPD) used as the optical receiver in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulated visible communication system (VLC). The 80-µm diameter µPD exhibits a wavelength-selective responsivity in the near-UV to violet regime (374 nm - 408 nm) under a low reverse bias of −3 V. The modulation scheme of 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) OFDM enables the use of frequency response beyond −3 dB cutoff bandwidth of µPD. A record high data rate of 3.2 Gigabit per second (Gpbs) was achieved as a result, which provides the proof-of-concept verification of a viable high speed VLC link.