OpenVLC1.2: Achieving Higher Throughput in Low-End Visible Light Communication Networks

In this paper, we introduce the OpenVLC1.2 research platform for low-end visible light communication (VLC) networks. The platform builds on top of previous versions that has attracted dozens of users from the VLC research community. We maintain its main advantages such as the support for communication with TCP/IP layers, software-based and programmable MAC and PHY layers and low-cost front-end. In this new version, we make an effort to increase the network throughput to 100 kb/s, i.e. by a factor of 8 with respect to previous versions, without adding any hardware cost. This benefit comes from our exploitation of the Programmable Real-time Units (PRUs) of the BeagleBone Black board, together with our low-resource consumption frame detection technique.