Analysis of infrared wireless links employing multi-beam transmitters and imaging diversity receivers

We analyze the improvements obtained in wireless infrared (IR) communication links when one replaces traditional single-element receivers by imaging receivers and diffuse transmitters by multi-beam (quasi-diffuse) transmitters. This paper addresses both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (non-LOS) IR links. We quantify link performance in terms of the transmitter power required to achieve a bit error rate (BER) not exceeding 10/sup -9/ with 95% probability. Our results indicate that in LOS links, imaging receivers can reduce the required transmitter power by up to 13 dB compared to single-element receivers. In non-LOS links, imaging receivers and multi-beam transmitters can reduce the required transmitter power by more than 20 dB.