High bandwidth GaN-based micro-LEDs for multi-Gb/s visible light communications

Ferreira, R. X.G. et al. (2016) High bandwidth GaN-based micro-LEDs for multi-Gb/s visible light communications. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 28(19), pp. 2023-2026. (doi: 10.1109/LPT.2016.2581318)

Abstract

Gallium-nitride (GaN)-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are highly efficient sources for general purpose illumination. Visible light communications (VLC) uses these sources to supplement existing wireless communications by offering a large, licence-free region of optical spectrum. Here, we report on progress in the development of micro-scale GaN LEDs (micro-LEDs), optimized for VLC. These blue-emitting micro-LEDs are shown to have very high electrical-to-optical modulation bandwidths, exceeding 800 MHz. The data transmission capabilities of the micro-LEDs are illustrated by demonstrations using ON-OFF-keying, pulse-amplitude modulation, and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modulation schemes to transmit data over free space at the rates of 1.7, 3.4, and 5 Gb/s, respectively.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council through the Program Ultra-Parallel Visible Light Communications under Grant EP/K00042X/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mckendry, Dr Jonathan and Watson, Dr Scott and Kelly, Professor Anthony
• Authors: Ferreira, R. X.G., Xie, E., Mckendry, J. J.D., Rajbhandari, S., Chun, H., Faulkner, G., Watson, S., Kelly, A. E., Gu, E., Penty, R. V., White, I. H., O'Brien, D. C., and Dawson, M. D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
• Publisher: IEEE
• ISSN: 1041-1135
• ISSN (Online): 1941-0174
• Published Online: 15 June 2016