Self-reverse-biased solar panel optical receiver for simultaneous visible light communication and energy harvesting

Abstract

We propose a self-reverse-biased solar panel optical receiver for energy harvesting and visible light communication. Since the solar panel converts an optical component into an electrical component, it provides both energy harvesting and communication. The signal component can be separated from the direct current component, and these components are used for communication and energy harvesting. We employed a self-reverse-biased receiver circuit to improve the communication and energy harvesting performance. The reverse bias on the solar panel improves the responsivity and response time. The proposed system achieved 17.05 mbps discrete multitone transmission with a bit error rate of 1.1 x 10^-3 and enhanced solar energy conversion efficiency.

Spectral Efficiency and Energy Harvesting in Multi-Cell SLIPT Systems

“…Based on the previous discussion, our proposed solution procedure for (P1) proceeds as shown in Algorithm I. At first, a set of initial solutions F is created using the feasibility problem (P4) solution along with two equal allocation vectors, that will be discussed later (they are added to F if they satisfy the energy harvesting requirement) as indicated in lines (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Afterwards, (P1)…”

“…In addition, such systems can be very beneficial in providing indoor localization services with a great accuracy [4]. Furthermore, energy can be harvested from light and used to support limited energy devices [7], [8]. Energy consumption at the user equipment has become a very important aspect in new wireless communications networks especially with the evolution of Internet-of-things paradigm [9].…”

Fully optical spacecraft communications: implementing an omnidirectional PV-cell receiver and 8 Mb/s LED visible light downlink with deep learning error correction

“…The use of self-biasing on solar cells has been investigated in the VLC industry. 9 This technique has been demonstrated to improve the -3dB bandwidth of a PV cell by up to 60% utilizing a 30V bias provided by a lightweight upconverter. Moreover, it was determined that minimal low energy losses were incurred as biasing recovers significant energy expenditure through increasing PV cell efficiency.…”

“…PV cells are intrinsically difficult to work with as high-bandwidth components due to their parasitic capacitance and high photocarrier drift and diffusion times. Building on the work of Won-ho Shin et al, 9 which demonstrated 17.05 Mbps discrete multitone transmission on a solar panel receiver, we propose an implementation of overcoming these limitations through reverse biasing with little impact on the overall efficiency of the power system.…”

0.5-Gb/s OFDM-Based Laser Data and Power Transfer Using a GaAs Photovoltaic Cell

“…The application of a reverse bias to a solar panel is shown to increase its 3-dB bandwidth from 90 kHz to 120 kHz in [13]. This is attributed to the reduced drift time of the photocarriers inside the depletion region of the PV cells.…”