Experimental characterization of a low-cost fast frequency-hopping spread-spectrum system for wireless in-house optical communications

The design and experimental characterization of a wireless infrared fast frequency hopping spread spectrum (WIR-FFH-SS) system is presented. The use of spread spectrum techniques on wireless infrared indoor communications reduces the effect of interference present in the infrared channel. It also improves the system performance versus multipath propagation. The use of FH-SS techniques allow the use of code division multiple access (CDMA) strategies for sharing the channel. We have developed and tested a prototype with a bit rate of 1 Mb/s, but it can be easily raised to 4 Mb/s. We also present some results on a simplified synchronization structure for use with reduced-cost domestic equipment. These systems are suitable for different applications at low and medium rates.