VCSEL-Based 24 Gbit/s OWC Board-to-Board System

We experimentally demonstrate a 24-Gbit/s discrete multi-tone (DMT) optical wireless communication (OWC) system that exploits a commercial vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and a low-cost photo-diode (PD). The OWC link has a good tolerance to misalignment (9 mm at 12.5 Gbit/s and 1.5-m link distance), thus it does not require active alignment and tracking. It only needs passive alignment, which can be achieved with adequate mechanical precision.