VLC Based Guidance System to Be Used by Mobile Users Inside Large Buildings

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is a Visible Light Communication (VLC) based guidance system to be used by mobile users inside large buildings. This system is composed of several transmitters (ceiling luminaries), which transmit map information and path guidance messages. Mobile devices, with VLC support, decode the information. A mesh cellular hybrid structure is proposed. The luminaires, via VLC, deliver their geographic position and specific information to the users, making them available for whatever use they request. The communication protocol, coding/decoding techniques, and error control are examined. Bidirectional communication is implemented and the best route to navigate through venue calculated. We propose several guidance services and multi-person cooperative localization. By analyzing the results, it became clear that the system not only provides self-location, but also the capability to determine the direction of travel and to interact with information received in order to optimize the route towards a static or dynamic destination.