2016-10-05

Dartmouth Researchers Develop VLC System that Can Transmit Data in the Dark

With the rise in wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers that rely on smart sensors, and the continued popularity of smartphones, smart devices are taking our country by storm. Wireless data for such devices is typically beamed through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, yet, the new wireless communication technology of "visible light communication (VLC)," has emerged as a new option albeit with limitations due to the challenges it faces in practice, such as being easily blocked or not being able to sustain transmission when light is off. Through a new Dartmouth project called "DarkLight," researchers have developed and demonstrated for the first-time, how visible light can be used to transmit data even when the light appears dark or off. DarkLight provides a new communication primitive similar to infrared communication, however, it exploits the LED lights already around us rather than needing additional infrared emitters.
Continue reading

Aledia, the leader in nanowire and 3D silicon-based microLED display technology, is proud to announce it is a winner in the Computing, Chips, and Foundational Technology category in Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech list. This prest... READ MORE

Wearables are evolving into everyday health companions. To reliably capture vital signs such as blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) with in-ear or other compact wearable devices, optical components are required that take minimal space while deliver... READ MORE