ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the implementation of real-time, high data-rate visible light communications (VLC) systems in field programmable gate array (FPGA). VLC systems have myriad of potential applications. Most of these have focused on applications where light-emitting diodes (LEDs) technology is already used for lighting purposes and thus, communications can support new value-added services. Since LEDs must be intensity modulated and the light thus produced must be directly detected, orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) signal must be made real and unipolar. Digital signal processing (DSP) and graphics processing unit (GPU) processors are traditionally used to implement high-speed digital signal processing algorithms. The biggest FPGA market share lies in communications and networking applications, which require high-performance and high-density devices. There are three main vendors of FPGA mezzanine card (FMC)-based high-speed data conversion mezzanine cards: 4DSP, Texas Instruments, and Analog Devices. FPGA projects require complete set of electronic design automation (EDA) tools for system-level design, design creation, synthesis, verification, and board-level design.
