Empirical Approach Investigation Li-Fi Pathloss

Propagation Model And Filter Coloring Effect

Galang P. N. Hakim1, Try W. Fahmi2, Mudrik Alaydrus3
123
Electrical Engineering
Universitas Mercu Buana
Jakarta, Indonesia
Macros.galang.pes@gmail.com, try.wafiq@gmail.com, mudrik@mercubuana.ac.id

Abstract—Li-Fi (Light Fidelity), is one of technology
complement with radio communication. This technology aim was
to provide a new way of communication using light instead of
radio communication. In this paper we studied path loss
propagation model for Li-Fi and also the effect of colorings filter.
Our method is using one light sensor and do walk test with 1
meter interval. As a result the new model was better compare to
the basic invers square law and light measurement model. For 90 o
angle the new model only had 0.01 lux (for 800 Lumens) and at
about 0.76 lux (for 350 Lumens) at 8 meter. It also interesting
that the filtering color has some effect, such as green and blue
color filter has same result measurement hence it cannot be used
for Li-Fi WDM application.
Keywords—Pathloss Propagation Model, Li-Fi, Filter.
I. INTRODUCTION
A VLC (Visual Light Communication) and it’s derive
technology such as Li-Fi (Light Fidelity), is one of technology
that design to be a complement with radio communication
technologies, which is in this time it has a very limited
spectrum. This technology aim was to provide a new way of
communication using light instead of radio wave
communication. Li-Fi technologies it’s described in IEEE
802.15.7 as a short range wireless optical communication using
visible light as their medium [1]. It was a multi user point to
point and point to multi point communication [2]. Li-Fi was
mainly developing using LED (Light Emitting Diode) for their
transmitter and photo diode for their receiver [3], although the
LED itself can be act as detector [4]–[6]. Li-Fi was an indoor
technology application for a very limited range, therefore in the
terms of frequency spectrum it was a natural benefit since light
doesn’t penetrate through the walls [7] like radio wave does,
hence there will be no interference.
Unfortunately Li-Fi and many others communication
technology also had optimization issues. Even though Li-Fi is
design to be an indoor and room operated, but when several Li-
Fi Transceiver are working together to service the users, the
light interference will occurs. In this paper we propose to study
path loss propagation model, so we can carefully optimized the
Li-Fi network. Also in this paper we propose to study the
Effect of colorings filter in order for Li-Fi WDM (Wavelengths
Division Multiplexing) methods purposes.
The basic model for Li-Fi path loss propagation model is
using Invers square Law [8], but this model is a basic theory
therefore its need to be tested in real world application before
we can use it as a general model.
II. THE INVERSE SQUARE LAW MODEL
The inverse square law model is a physic law function that
stated energy with specified physical quantity or energy
intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
from the source of that energy physical quantity. The inverse
square law defines the relationship between the irradiance from
a point source and distance [8]. The easy explanation is that the
energy intensity per unit area varies in inverse proportion to the
square of the distance (See figure 1).
E1 D12 = E2 D22 
Where:
E1= Energy Measurement at source unit in Flux
E2 = Energy Measurement within distance unit in Flux
D1 = Distance source to first measurement unit in Meter
D2 = Distance source to second measurement unit in meter
III. ILLUMINANCE MEASUREMENT
This section contains explanation about measurement
methods, lux measurement, and also equipment measurement.
A. Lux Measurement
Visible flux density measurement or in another words is a
measurement of photometric flux per unit area that are usually
expressed in lux (Lumens per square meter). An example of it
is a light bulb that emits 1 lumen per steradian in all directions
(isotropic). 1 steradian has a projected area of 1 square meter at
a distance of 1 meter [8] (See figure 2.). So we can say 1
candela (1 lm/sr) light source will similarly produce 1 lumen
per square meter at 1 meter (1 lux at 1 meter). Therefore in this
paper we are going to use lux unit for measurement.
Fig. 1. An Invers Square Law Model [8]

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Fig. 2. Lux Measurement Definition [8]
B. Walk Test Measurement Methods
Walk test measurement methods is a standardized test to
survey available signal in the indoor area and thus provide data
for optimization later. This is a common quality test
performance in cellular network for in building system [9]. The
purposed of this method will be to capture lux measurement
statistical data for every 1 meter and from different angle as in
[10], please see figure 3.
C. Measurement Equipment
In this research we are using both transmitter and receiver
for measurement.
 For transmitter we are using 2 common white led bulbs
(it was yellow led with white filter dome), and this led
bulbs has 800 lumens also the other one has 350
lumens.
 For receiver we are using a digital light sensor BH1750
which output was lux value and has 1 lux accuracy. But
to capture the sensor value we need help from
microcontroller wemos (esp8266 based) and send the
lux statistical data to laptop. Figure 3 show receiver
equipment configuration and measurement methods.
IV. FILTERING EFFECT
For color filtering effect we are using 350 lumen led light
bulb as transmitter. We also using 5 filter colors such as red,
green, Violet, Blue, and Yellow. This filter is put in between
sensor and the led light bulb, where 1.5 meter to led light bulb,
and 1.5 meter to sensor. The result is shown at table 1.
Fig. 3. Measurement Equipment and Methods
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TABLE I. COLOR FILTERING EFFECT USING 350 LUMEN LED BULBS
From table 1 we can see the color filter has some effect
with the light signal. The yellow filter pass the light signal like
it was no filter, we can understood this because yellow filter
pass the yellow light (led was transmit the yellow light) as in
[11]. Also we can see other filter different color absorb the
yellow light energy as it pass through the filter, with the most
filter color absorb the yellow light energy was red.
V. SIMULATION VERSUS MEASUREMENT
Real time measurements using walk test measurement
methods has been done in order to verify the simulation result.
Table II shows comparison between measurement and
simulation for 0o angle using 800 lumens led bulbs and 350
lumens led bulbs. Table III shows measurement for 30 o angle
also using the same led bulbs. Table IV shows measurement for
60o angle also using the same led bulbs. And last Table V
shows measurement for 90o angle also using the same led
bulbs.
To make easy, we build a graphical line based on table II
for 0o measurement. Based on figure 4 and table II, the
behavior invers square law model, and our new model was fit
with the behavior shows by real world measurement. But the
invers square law model is the closes to fit the measurement
result for 800 lumens led bulbs. Our new model also less fit
with measurement result with the closes part 2.02 lux
difference for 9 meters measurement. But if we see the
measurement result for 350 lumens led bulbs our new model
was fit with better accuracy compare with the invers square law
model with only 0.13 lux difference also for 9 meters
measurement. Therefore we proposed for 0 o angle model path
loss model was:
E2 / E1 = 1.3 (D1 / D2)2 
TABLE II. 0O LIGHT MEASUREMENT USING 800 LUMEN & 350 LUMEN

Fig. 4. (a) Light Measurement at 0o angle using 800 Lumen light bulb
(above), (b) Light Measurement at 0 o angle using 350 Lumen light bulb
(below)
We also build a graphical line based on table III for 30 o
measurement. Based on figure 5 and table III, the behavior
invers square law model, and our new model was fit with the
behavior shows by measurement result. But our new model has
better accuracy with measurement result with the closes one
about 0.27 lux (for 800 Lumens) and at about 0.03 lux (for 350
Lumens) at difference compare with the invers square law
model at 9 meters. Therefore we proposed for 30 o angle model
path loss model was:
E2 / E1 = 1.3 (D1 / D2)2 
TABLE III. 30O LIGHT MEASUREMENT USING 800 LUMEN & 350 LUMEN
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Fig. 5. (a) Light Measurement at 30o angle using 800 Lumen light bulb
(above), (b) Light Measurement at 30 o angle using 350 Lumen light bulb
(below)
For 60o measurement, based on figure 6 and table IV, the
behavior invers square law model, and our new model was fit
with the behavior shows by measurement result. But our new
model has better accuracy with measurement result with the
closes one about 0.2 lux (for 800 Lumens) and at about 2.9 lux
(for 500 Lumens) at difference compare with the invers square
law model at 5 meters. Therefore we proposed for 60o angle
model path loss model was:
E2 / E1 = 3 (D1 / D2)2 
TABLE IV. 60O LIGHT MEASUREMENT USING 800 LUMEN & 350 LUMEN
Fig. 6. (a) Light Measurement at 60o angle using 800 Lumen light bulb
(above), (b) Light Measurement at 60o angle using 350 Lumen light bulb
(below)
For 90o measurement, based on figure 7 and table V, the
behavior invers square law model, and our new model was fit
with the behavior shows by measurement result. But our new
model has better accuracy with measurement result with the
closes one about 0.01 lux (for 800 Lumens) and at about 0.76
lux (for 350 Lumens) at difference compare with the invers
square law model at 8 meters. Therefore we proposed for 90 o
angle model path loss model was:
E2 / E1 = 5 (D1 / D2)2 
TABLE V. 90O LIGHT MEASUREMENT USING 800 LUMEN & 350 LUMEN
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Fig. 7. (a) Light Measurement at 90o angle using 800 Lumen light bulb
(above), (b) Light Measurement at 90 o angle using 350 Lumen light bulb
(below)
VI. CONCLUSION
In this paper we investigate the color filtering effect which
can be used for WDM application in Li-Fi. It was an interesting
fact that the filtering color has some effect with the
measurement result. The green and blue color has same result
measurement, with this result we believe an interference signal
between two different wavelengths light could happen.
Therefore this two color filter cannot be used at the same time
in Li-Fi WDM application. For other filter color such as red,
yellow, and violet has different measurement result, therefore
we strongly belief this filter color can be used at the same time
in Li-Fi WDM application.
Also in this paper the path loss model for Li-Fi
technologies is investigate. Using basic invers square law and
light sensor we develop a new model with small difference
with the measurement result. For 0o angle the new model only
had 2.02 lux (800 lumen) difference and 0.13 lux (350 Lumen)
difference at 9 meter. For 30o angle the new model only had
0.27 lux (800 Lumen) and at about 0.03 lux (350 Lumen) for 9
meter. For 60o angle the new model only had 0.2 lux (800
Lumen) difference and at about 2.9 lux (for 350 Lumen)
difference at 5 meter. For 90o angle the new model only had
0.01 lux (800 Lumens) and at about 0.76 lux (350 Lumens) at 8
meter.
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