Coherent optical wireless: An alternative technology for broadband indoor communications

Coherent detection technology which is commonplace in optical fiber-based systems, may serve as a means to compensate for path loss in line-of-sight and diffuse optical wireless systems. In this study, a high-speed optical wireless communication system based on coherent detection is investigated. Our analysis includes the laser phase noise which, to the extent of our knowledge, has not been adequately addressed in the literature in the field of optical wireless. Our results indicate that coherent detection may significantly alleviate the power budget of line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight configurations. It can enable Gbps wireless data transmission under moderate transmission powers compliant with eye safety regulations and the operational properties of optical transmitters typically found in the commercial marketplace.