A SiPM-based VLC Receiver for 3.45 Gigabits/s Communication Using OOK Modulation

My first paper of my DPhil, presented at the 2020 IEEE Photonics Conference. It shows that a SiPM with a higher maximum output pulse rate raises the fastest on-off keying (OOK) data rate ever achieved with a SiPM receiver. The journal version extends it with a model of the SiPM’s bias current.

Abstract

Results are presented which show that by using a SiPM with a higher maximum output pulse rate it is possible to increase the highest maximum OOK data rate ever achieved at a BER of $10^{-3}$ from 2.4 Gbits/s to 3.45 Gbits/s.

Key Findings

Previously, a J-30035 SiPM receiver had reached a maximum OOK data rate of 2.4 Gbps at a BER of $10^{-3}$ , despite saturation. Because the J-30020 has a higher maximum output pulse rate, it achieves the same BER at 3.45 Gbps, a new record for a SiPM receiver. Saturation means these rates need irradiances above 100 mW/m $^2$ , which are not eye safe at 405 nm. At irradiances more likely in a deployed VLC system, either SiPM supports up to 2 Gbps. In that regime the higher photon detection efficiency (PDE) of the J-30035 gives it a slightly higher data rate than the J-30020 at the same irradiance. However, the J-30020 consumes only a fraction of the power of the J-30035 at the same irradiance, owing to its smaller microcells. That makes the J-30020 the better fit for hosts where power matters, such as smartphones. SiPMs with narrower output pulses should allow higher data rates still.