Design and Evaluation of a MISO VLC System for In-Flight Internet Access

The aviation industry, with over 200,000 flights daily, continues to struggle with in-flight internet access. Current WiFi systems rely on satellite links that face bandwidth limitations and potential interference with aircraft communication systems. This paper investigates the use of visible light communication (VLC) as an alternative to enhance in-flight connectivity. A multiple-input single-output (MISO) VLC system is simulated within an aircraft’s simplified cabin environment. The study evaluates the received optical power, interference, noise and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at multiple receiver positions. The results demonstrate significant performance variation based on receiver placement, highlighting the importance of spatial optimization in VLC deployment. This work presents VLC as a promising candidate for next-generation in-flight connectivity and provides insights for its practical implementation in dynamic and constrained environments such as commercial aircraft.