Enhancing spectral efficiency with low complexity filtered‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing in visible light communication system

Abstract

The filtered‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (F‐OFDM) scheme has gained attention as a promising solution in the field of visible light communication (VLC) systems. One crucial aspect in VLC is the conversion of the complex F‐OFDM signal into a real signal that corresponds with direct detection and intensity modulation. Traditionally, achieving a real F‐OFDM signal has involved imposing Hermitian symmetry (HS) on the samples of the Inverse Fast Fourier transform (IFFT), which requires 2N‐point IFFT and obtains an N‐point FFT, thus adding complexity. In this study, a novel approach is presented and implemented, aiming to enhance spectral efficiency and reduce system complexity by generating a real F‐OFDM signal without relying on HS. This approach is then compared with HS‐free (HSF)‐OFDM, direct current biased optical OFDM, and asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM. The suggested method offers a remarkable improvement of ~50% in the required IFFT/FFT volume. Consequently, this method reduces hardware complexity and power usage compared with the traditional F‐OFDM method. Moreover, regarding error rates, the proposed method demonstrates better spectral efficiency than HSF‐OFDM.