Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces assisted Laser-based Optical Wireless Communication Networks

Optical wireless communication (OWC) emerges as a complementary technology to radio frequency (RF) systems that can support high aggregate data rates. However, OWC systems face some challenges including beam blockage. To address this challenge, intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) technology is proposed to offer alternative pathways for the optical signal and ensuring continuous signal connectivity. This work investigates the potential of using IRS in an indoor OWC network. A system model for indoor OWC is considered that integrates IRS in conjunction with an angle diversity transmitter (ADT) using vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays. Despite the narrow and directed nature of the VCSEL beam, which is prone to blockages, it can deliver high data rates under eye safety regulations. The performance of the IRS-assisted OWC system is evaluated in terms of sum rate. Simulation results demonstrate that integrating IRS can significantly improve the achievable sum rate of Laser-based OWC systems.