Visible Light Communication (VLC) - A Potential Solution to the Global Wireless Spectrum Shortage

Report Summary

GBI Research’s new report, “Visible Light Communication (VLC) - A Potential Solution to the Global Wireless Spectrum Shortage”, provides the key information and analysis on Visible Light Communication technology and market. Visible Light Communication or VLC is a method by which Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are used to transmit data using visible light as a transmitting medium. With the increasing usage of data over mobile phones and other wireless devices, spectrum shortage appears to be a real problem for which VLC can be offered as a potential solution. This solution is explained in detail in the report.

VLC technology can be used in a number of applications or end user segments like wireless networking, intelligent traffic management systems, home networking system, powerline communication and underwater communication.

VLC technology based devices primarily use LEDs, Opto-couplers and Image Sensors as components and each one represents a unique industry that has tremendous growth potential due to the rise of a new technology. Visible Light Communication based products are primarily dependent on efficient and low cost LEDs for fast data transmission rates and this is an important factor in the faster launch of commercial VLC based devices. The report explains each component type accompanied with revenues and forecasts till 2015.

GBI Research estimates that globally, around $100 million is invested in the research of Visible Light Communication technology and even major companies are conducting trials on VLC for incorporating in future products. This report explains in detail about the various key players in both the pure research centers of institutes and the commercial companies globally.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GBI Research’s team of industry experts.

Scope

• In-depth explanation of the solution from Visible Light Communication for the potential problem of wireless spectrum shortage.
• Key VLC market segments such as PowerLine Communication, Underwater Communication, Visible Light ID system, Optical Communication, Ubiquitous Networking and Intelligent Traffic Management Systems have been covered.
• Market Size for different component types used in VLC based devices in terms of sales revenue. Forecast forward until 2015
• A Comparative Case Study between Visible Light Communication and Infrared Communication.
• VLC initiatives of various VLC technology research centers and key market players are explained in detail.
• Comprehensive profiles of key players such as LVX Systems, Intel Corporation, Nakagawa Laboratories, Intel Corporation, OMEGA, Visible Light Communication Consortium and so on have been provided.

Reasons to buy

• Exploit growth opportunities across various IC component types specific to Visible Light Communication industry.
• Information about the most recent product and technology developments in the Visible Light Communication market.
• What is the future demand potential of different end user applications in Visible Light Communication market– Identify, understand and capitalize.
• Develop business strategies by understanding the trends, research and developments that are driving the Visible Light Communication market across the globe.
• Understand the competitors operating in the VLC market from the company and institutes profiles.
• Have an in-depth and holistic understanding of Visible Light Communication in technical and commercial perspectives.

Table of Contents

1 Table of Contents 3
1.1 List of Tables 6
1.2 List of Figures 7

2 Introduction 8
2.1 GBI Research Report Guidance 8

3 Visible Light Communication - Overview 9
3.1 VLC - Technology Overview 9
3.1.1 Next Generation Wireless Technology 10
3.1.2 Complementor to RF and IR-Based Communications 10
3.1.3 Cost Savings on Installation 10
3.1.4 Development of Biologically Friendly Technology 10
3.2 VLC as a Potential Solution to the Spectrum Crunch 11
3.2.1 Overview of the Problem 11
3.2.2 Offloading as a Solution to Manage Data Traffic Growth 15
3.3 VLC Technology Standards 16
3.3.1 VLCC 16
3.3.2 JEITA 16
3.3.3 IEEE 18
3.4 VLC Patents Scenario 18
3.5 Technology Comparison 19
3.5.1 RONJA 19
3.5.2 Infrared Communications 19
3.5.3 Radiofrequency Communications 20
3.6 VLC Development Timeline 21
3.7 VLC Working Process Flow 22

4 VLC Technology - Market Dynamics 24
4.1 Market Drivers 24
4.1.1 Last Mile Connectivity 24
4.1.2 Reduced Power Consumption and Energy Savings 24
4.1.3 Increased R&D funding 25
4.2 Market Restraints 25
4.2.1 Rise of Wi-Fi Smart and Bluetooth 4.0 25
4.2.2 Higher Costs for VLC Based Devices 25
4.3 Market Challenges 26
4.3.1 Increasing Data Rates 26
4.3.2 Providing a Suitable Uplink 26
4.3.3 Naturally Inherent Defects 26

5 VLC Technology- Market Segments 27
5.1 Ubiquitous Networking 27
5.2 Intelligent Traffic Management Systems 28
5.2.1 LEDs Replacing Traditional Incandescent Lamps 29
5.2.2 ITS Project - Japanese Traffic Police 29
5.3 Visible light ID Systems 31
5.3.1 Indoor Navigation System 31
5.3.2 Shopper’s Traffic Survey System 31
5.3.3 Data Dissemination System 32
5.3.4 RFID System 32
5.4 Optical Communication 33
5.4.1 Optical WLAN 33
5.4.2 Home Lighting Market 34
5.5 Power Line Communication 35
5.6 Underwater Communication 36

6 Global VLC Technology Market - A Comparative Case Study with the Infrared Communication Market 37

7 Global VLC Technology Market - A Geographical Analysis 38

8 Global VLC Technology Market - Analysis and Forecast Based on Component type 39
8.1 LEDs 39
8.1.1 White LEDs 39
8.1.2 Emerging LED Technologies 39
8.1.3 Global Display and Lamp Market Analysis 40
8.1.4 Global LED Market Analysis 41
8.2 Infrared Emitters 42
8.3 Opto-couplers 43
8.4 Image Sensor 44

9 Key VLC Technology Research Centers 45
9.1 Nakagawa Laboratories, Inc. 45
9.1.1 Business Products: 45
9.1.2 Milestones 45
9.2 Universal Traffic Management Society (UTMS) 46
9.2.1 UTMS Segments 46
9.2.2 Latest Developments 47
9.3 Smart Lighting ERC, Boston 48
9.3.1 Smart Light Prototype 48
9.3.2 Outdoor Communications 48
9.3.3 Indoor Communications 49
9.3.4 Nanophotonics and Bio-Sensing 49
9.4 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 49
9.5 OMEGA 50
9.5.1 Radio Communications 50
9.5.2 Optical Wireless Communications 50
9.5.3 Powerline Communications 50
9.6 VLCC 51
9.7 University of California, UC-Light Center 52
9.8 Oxford University 52
9.9 University of Edinburgh 53
9.10 Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute 54

10 Global VLC Technology Market, Key Players 55
10.1 LVX Systems 55
10.1.1 About 55
10.1.2 Service Approach 55
10.1.3 Technology 56
10.2 NEC Corporation 56
10.2.1 NEC Corporation - Business Description 56
10.2.2 NEC Corporation - VLC Initiatives 57
10.2.3 NEC Corporation - Major Products and Services 58
10.2.4 NEC Corporation - SWOT Analysis 59
10.3 Rise, Inc 60
10.3.1 About 60
10.3.2 VLC Initiative - Underwater Communication 61
10.4 Gallium Lighting, LLC 61
10.4.1 About 61
10.4.2 VLC Initiative 61
10.5 Sobal Corporation 62
10.5.1 About 62
10.5.2 VLC Initiative - VLID Tags 62
10.6 Outstanding Technology Co Ltd 62
10.6.1 About 62
10.6.2 VLC Initiative 63
10.7 Casio Computer Co, Ltd. 63
10.7.1 Casio Computer Co, Ltd - Business Description 63
10.7.2 Casio Computer Co, Ltd - VLC Initiatives 64
10.7.3 Casio Computer Co, Ltd- Major Products and Services 64
10.7.4 Casio Computer Co, Ltd- SWOT Analysis 65
10.8 Intel Corporation 67
10.8.1 Intel Corporation - Business Description 67
10.8.2 Intel Corporation - VLC initiatives 69
10.8.3 Intel Corporation - Major Products and Services 69
10.8.4 69
10.8.5 Intel - Recent Developments 73

11 Appendix 74
11.1 Market Definition 74
11.1.1 Product Types Covered 74
11.1.2 Geographies Covered 74
11.2 About GBI Research 74
11.3 Abbreviations 74
11.4 Methodology 76
11.4.1 Market Size Estimates 76
11.4.2 Breakdown Estimates 76
11.4.3 Coverage 76
11.4.4 Secondary Research 76
11.4.5 Primary Research 77
11.4.6 Expert Panel Validation 77
11.5 Contact Us 77
11.6 Disclaimer 77

List of Tables

Table 1: Main Features of VLC Technology 9
Table 2: Mobile Traffic Growth Figures Across the World 12
Table 3: Analysis of a RONJA Based System 19
Table 4: Feature Comparison of VLC and IR 19
Table 5: Feature Comparison of VLC and Wi-Fi 20
Table 6: Visible Light Communication Developments Timeline 21
Table 7: Selected IEEE 802.15.7 WPAN TG7 Use Cases 27
Table 8: Cost comparison of Light Emitting Diode Lamps against Incandescent Lamps, 2011 38
Table 9: Global Display & Lamp Market, Sales Revenue ,($m), 2005-2015 40
Table 10: Global LED Market, Sales Revenue, ($bn), 2005-2015 41
Table 11: Global Infrared Market, Sales Revenue,($m), 2005-2015 42
Table 12: Global Opto-Couplers Market, Sales Revenue ,($m), 2005-2015 43
Table 13: Global Image Sensors Market, Sales Revenue,($m), 2005-2015 44
Table 14: Nakagawa Laboratories, Inc, Key Facts 45
Table 15: UTMS, Key Facts 46
Table 16: Smart Light ERC, Boston, Key Facts 48
Table 17: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Key Facts 49
Table 18: OMEGA Project, Key Facts 50
Table 19: Visible Light Communication Consortium, Key Facts 51
Table 20: UC-Light Center, University of California, Key Facts 52
Table 21: Oxford University, Key Facts 52
Table 22: University of Edinburgh, Key Facts, 2010 53
Table 23: Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, Key Facts, 2010 54
Table 24: LVX Systems, Key Facts, 2010 55
Table 25: NEC Corporation, Key Facts, 2010 56
Table 26: NEC Corporation, Major Products and Services 58
Table 27: NEC Corporation, SWOT Analysis 59
Table 28: Rise Co, Ltd, Key Facts, 2010 60
Table 29: Gallium Lighting, LLC, Key Facts, 2010 61
Table 30: Sobal Corporation, Key Facts, 2010 62
Table 31: Outstanding Technology Co Ltd, Key Facts, 2010 62
Table 32: Casio Computer Co, Ltd, Key Facts, 2010 63
Table 33: Casio Computer Co, Ltd, Major Products and Services 64
Table 34: Casio Computer Co, Ltd, SWOT Analysis 65
Table 35: Intel Corporation, Key Facts, 2010 67
Table 36: Intel Corporation, Major Products and Services 69
Table 37: Intel Corporation, SWOT Analysis 70
Table 38: Visible Light Communication, Abbreviations 74

List of Figures

Figure 1: Global Mobile Data Usage Taken per Month on an Average (Eb/Month),  2010-2015 11
Figure 2: Traffic Generated by Different Tiers of Mobile Subscribers (%) 12
Figure 3: Estimated Spectrum Growth Per Mobile Operator (MHz) 13
Figure 4: Network Capacity Per Device and Forecast Traffic per Device for a 3G Operator, 2008-2014 14
Figure 5: VLC Process Working Flow 22
Figure 6: VLC System Block Diagram 23
Figure 7: Sample Ubiquitous Networking Scenario 28
Figure 8: Standardization Organizations Related to ITS 30
Figure 9: Indoor Visible Light Communication Applications 33
Figure 10: Power Line Communication and VLC 35
Figure 11: Global Display and Lamp Market, Sales Revenue, ($m), 2005-2015 40
Figure 12: Global LED Market, Sales Revenue, ($bn), 2005-2015 41
Figure 13: Global Infrared Market, Sales Revenue,($m), 2005-2015 42
Figure 14: Global Opto-Couplers Market, Sales Revenue ,($m), 2005-2015 43
Figure 15: Global Image Sensors Market, Sales Revenue,($m), 2005-2015 44
Figure 16: UTMS Segments 46