Design and Implementation of a Low-Cost VLC Photovoltaic Panel-Based Receiver with off-the-Shelf Components

This document introduces the design, implementation and evaluation of a functional visible light communication (VLC) system comprising a transmitter and receiver designed for use in a simultaneous lightwave information and power transfer (SLIPT) scenario, utilizing a photovoltaic panel. The circuit was made with low-cost off-the-shelf components, can be powered by a battery, is capable of enhancing the bandwidth of the photovoltaic panel, and is made as a proof of concept that inexpensive VLC systems are feasible. The system was shown to operate effectively in an indoor setting, where the existing lighting fixtures included an AC component with a frequency of 100 Hz, achieving a baud rate of 4.8 kBd over a distance of 60 cm between the transmitter and the receiver. The distance achieved could be useful for IoT devices that are near a light source but are unable to receive information via cable or other types of wireless technology.