Analysis and optimization of the network throughput in IEEE 802.15.13 based visible light communication networks

Abstract

In line with the growing interest on visible light communication (VLC), IEEE has initiated standardization efforts on this emerging technology. In this work, we consider IEEE 802.15.13 Optical Wireless Personal Area Networks (OWPAN) standard draft. The underlying MAC protocol uses contention free and contention access periods. For a standard-compliant VLC network, we analyze the network load and propose an algorithm to improve the network throughput by proper selection of period lengths. Our suggested algorithm improves the network performance by at least 5% in the case of variable network traffic up to 15 active users.