Enabling VLC data centers with DCO-OFDM technology

In the realm of data center communication, visible light communication (VLC) has emerged as a promising alternative, leveraging the advancements in light emitting diode (LED) technologies. This paper explores the integration of direct current biased optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (DCO-OFDM) technology within VLC frameworks to enhance data transmission capabilities in data center environments. By harnessing the advantages of DCO-OFDM, including improved spectral efficiency and robustness against LED nonlinearity, this research aims to optimize VLC performance within data centers. Through theoretical analysis and practical implementation, the feasibility and benefits of employing DCO-OFDM in VLC-enabled data centers are investigated, offering insights into the potential of this technology to address the growing demands for high-speed, energy-efficient data communication in modern data center infrastructures. It is found that the combined application of both clipping and μ-law companding yields the most significant reduction in PAPR, resulting in a remarkably low PAPR of 2.34 dB.