Is Visible Light Communication (VLC) Positioning System Technology Viable for Indoor Positioning?

Visible Light Communication (VLC), is a wireless communication technology utilizing visible light for data transmission. It uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs), typically found in lighting fixtures, to transmit data by modulating the intensity of light at a very high speed, often imperceptible to the human eye. This technology enables communication between devices by using light as a medium.

An indoor positioning VLC system combines the benefits of illumination and data communication enabling accurate localization within indoor environments. It leverages the existing LED lighting infrastructure to provide reliable and high-precision positioning capabilities for various applications.

VLC technology offers several advantages making it a compelling choice for various applications. Some of those include high data transmission rates, availability of infrastructure, energy efficiency, enhanced security, immunity to RF interference, indoor localization, license-free spectrum and multi-purpose functionality.

VLC can achieve higher data transmission rates compared to Bluetooth technology. It can support data rates ranging from a few kilobits per second (Kbps) to several gigabits per second (Gbps), depending on factors such as the modulation scheme, LED technologyand environmental conditions.On the other hand, Bluetooth technology, specifically Bluetooth 5, supports data rates of up to 2 Mbps (megabits per second). Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) variants offer lower data rates to optimize power consumption.So, in terms of raw data transmission rates, VLC has the potential to provide faster communication compared to Bluetooth.

VLC indoor localization is the use of VLC technology to determine the position or location of a device or individual within an indoor environment. It utilizes visible light signals emitted by LED light fixtures to enable accurate and reliable localization.

Visible light technology is used to guide users indoors by combining illumination and data communication for positioning.

Unlike VLC systems, Mapsted’s indoor positioning technology doesn’t rely on LED infrastructure or external hardware, offering a more cost-effective and scalable solution.

VLC requires a constant line of sight and extensive LED installations, while Mapsted’s technology works seamlessly without such constraints, ensuring accurate positioning in all environments.

Yes, Mapsted’s system eliminates hardware maintenance costs, avoids energy-intensive lighting setups and delivers consistent accuracy without disruptions.

Yes, Mapsted’s technology delivers actionable insights and data analytics about user behaviour, which VLC systems cannot capture due to one-way data transmission.

Absolutely. Mapsted’s solution doesn’t rely on LED installations, making it ideal for scaling across large or multi-level facilities with minimal effort.

In controlled environments, a VLC positioning system can achieve localization accuracy within 10 centimeters. However, real-world conditions such as obstructions and ambient light interference may affect this precision.

Visible light positioning offers high accuracy and immunity to electromagnetic interference, making it suitable for environments like hospitals and aircraft. However, it requires a clear line of sight between the LED source and the receiving device, which can be a limitation compared to technologies like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-based systems in healthcare.

The advantages of visible light communication include high data transmission rates, enhanced security due to confined light propagation and the ability to utilize existing LED lighting infrastructure for dual purposes—illumination and data transmission.

Visible light technology faces challenges such as the necessity for a constant line of sight between the LED source and the receiving device. Obstructions, device orientation and ambient light conditions can impact the reliability of the positioning system.

Yes, VLC systems can be integrated with technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to enhance positioning accuracy and reliability, especially in environments where maintaining a constant line of sight is challenging.

Unlike traditional VLC systems that rely heavily on LED infrastructure and line-of-sight conditions, Mapsted's indoor positioning technology operates without external hardware, offering a more scalable and cost-effective solution for various indoor environments.