Shedding Light on Vehicular Communication: A Review of the Latest Vehicular Visible Light Communication Channel Models

Unlike radio-frequency (RF) systems, including Wi-Fi and cellular networks, which encounter interference, bandwidth limitations, network congestion, and security vulnerabilities, Vehicular Visible Light Communication (V-VLC) offers a compelling alternative as a communication medium. Its unlicensed spectrum, extensive bandwidth, energy efficiency, and existing transmitters render it a promising option for vehicular communication in the context of Intelligent Transportation Systems. By integrating V-VLC with traditional RF communication systems, a vast ecosystem of interconnected vehicles can be realised, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency for future fleets of (autonomous) vehicles. Despite successful integration of VLC in indoor environments, further investigation is required for outdoor applications. This study examines current channel modelling approaches for V-VLC within the framework of Intelligent Transportation Systems. Through a review of the literature within the period between 2013 and 2024 the advancements of V-VLC as a valuable addition to vehicular networks, with a specific emphasis on photometric aspects of the optical channel models, are assessed.