Abstract: An optical modulator structure can include a core region that comprises an optical transmission path having a refractive index that is modulated via electric charge introduced into the core region. A plurality of first vertical slabs comes into contact with and is spaced along a first side of the core region to provide a first path for the electric charge to/from the core region. A plurality of second vertical slabs come into contact with and is spaced along a second side of the core region, that is opposite to the first side, to provide a second path for the electric charge to/from the core region. Other structures and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for broadcasting visible light information in visible light communication. The method includes determining a time interval for a simultaneous signal and a time interval for an individual signal of information to be displayed on a display device; simultaneously modulating output signals of three Red-Green-Blue (RGB) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) making up one pixel, and transferring the modulated information to the display device; individually modulating output signals of the three RGB LEDs and transferring the modulated information to the display device; and displaying the modulated information for any selected one of the time interval for the simultaneous signal and the time interval for the individual signal.

Abstract: A silicon based optical modulator apparatus can include a lateral slab on an optical waveguide, the lateral slab protruding beyond side walls of the optical waveguide so that a portion of the optical waveguide protrudes from the lateral slab towards a substrate.

Abstract: A method of providing a visible light communication in a data link layer of a visible light communication system adopting an infrared communication link connection protocol includes: broadcasting a discovery exchange station identification (D-XID) frame; generating a visible frame to provide a visibility to a link for a specified waiting time period for responding to the broadcast D-XID frame; exchanging a set normal response mode (SNRM) frame and an unnumbered acknowledgement (UA) frame for requesting a link setting between the transmitting and receiving terminals; generating visible frames for a waiting time for receiving the SNRM frame and the UA frame; exchanging an information transfer frame (I-frame) and a receive ready (RR) frame, which is a response to the I-frame, between the transmitting and receiving terminals; and generating visible frames for a specified waiting period for receiving the I-frame and the RR frame.

Abstract: An optical serializer/deserializer (SERDES) includes serializing circuitry which includes a source of a plurality of unmodulated optical signals, a modulation unit for generating a plurality of modulated optical signals using a plurality of electrical signals to modulate the plurality of unmodulated optical signals, and a coupling unit for delaying the plurality of modulated optical signs to generate a plurality of delayed modulated optical signals and combines the delayed modulated optical signals to generate a serialized modulated optical signal.

Abstract: A reconnection method and device for a peripheral interface using VLC provide a protocol for when a communication link between a primary device and a secondary device is disconnected. The primary device generates an R-XID message including reconnection information and a warning indication signal indicating the disconnection. The secondary device aligns the communication link with the primary device using the warning indication signal, receives the R-XID message from the primary device by the secondary device, and transmits an R-XID response message for the R-XID message to the primary device.

Abstract: An optical modulator comprises a bulk-silicon substrate comprising a trench having a predetermined width and a predetermined depth. A bottom cladding layer is formed in the trench, and a plurality of waveguides and a phase modulation unit are formed on the bottom cladding layer. A top cladding layer is formed on the plurality of waveguides and the phase modulation unit.

Abstract: Optical waveguide and coupler devices and methods include a trench formed in a bulk semiconductor substrate, for example, a bulk silicon substrate. A bottom cladding layer is formed in the trench, and a core region is formed on the bottom cladding layer. A reflective element, such as a distributed Bragg reflector can be formed under the coupler device and/or the waveguide device. Because the optical devices are integrated in a bulk substrate, they can be readily integrated with other devices on a chip or die in accordance with silicon photonics technology. Specifically, for example, the optical devices can be integrated in a DRAM memory circuit chip die.

Abstract: Provided is a memory module, a system using the memory module, and a method of fabricating the memory module. The memory module may include a printed circuit board and a memory package on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may include an embedded optical waveguide and a first optical window extending from the optical waveguide to a first surface of the printed circuit board. The memory package may also include a memory die having an optical input/output section and a second optical window. The optical input/output section, the second optical window, and the first optical window may be arranged in a line and the first optical window and the second optical window may be configured to at least one of transmit an optical signal from the optical waveguide to the optical input/output section and transmit an optical signal from the optical input/output section to the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in a visible light communication system, the apparatus including a visible light communication (VLC) transceiver for converting a visible light signal received from a counterpart into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal, by using a light receiving device during a reception operation, and converting an electrical signal containing information into a visible light signal and transmitting the visible light signal to the counterpart, by using a light emitting device during a transmission operation, a VLC controller comprising a visible frame engine (VFE) for generating a visible frame and outputting the visible frame to the VLC transceiver, in which the VFE generates the visible frame for transmission to a counterpart during non-transmission of respective frames for communication at a sender and a receiver in order to provide visibility to a communication link, and a host controller for controlling the VLC controller and

Abstract: A data communication apparatus based on digital image processing is provided, in which a display displays a color block array including color blocks corresponding to transmission data, a camera captures an image of a color block array displayed on a display of a transmitting side, a storage stores a code table including information about colors mapped to data values, and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) creates a color block array by converting transmission data to color blocks according to the code table during data transmission, and identifies the color block array in the image captured by the camera, detects colors of color blocks in the color block array, and extracts data values corresponding to the detected colors during data reception.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical signal concentrator and an optical receiver for wireless optical communication. The concentrator includes a diffusion sheet and a light guide plate positioned below the diffusion sheet for guiding diffused optical signals perpendicularly to the incident direction the diffused optical signals, the light guide plate being formed with at least one concentric circle pattern facing the diffusion sheet. The receiver includes an optical signal concentrator including a diffusion sheet, a light guide plate positioned below the diffusion sheet for guiding the optical signals perpendicularly to the incident direction the diffused optical signals, one or more optical detectors for detecting light projected to the side of the light guide plate, and a reflection plate for reflecting light incident to the light guide plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the emitted color of visible light according to the current communication state in a visible light communication (VLC) device. The method includes storing one or more communication states and emitting colors that are correspondingly matched to the one or more communication states to indicate each of the various communication states. The VLC also checks, which can be based upon selection of a VLC mode, the current communication state and an emits a color that corresponds to the current communication state and emits the checked color of light to provide a visible light signal that indicates communication status to a user.

Abstract: Provided is a method for broadcasting visible light information in visible light communication. The method includes determining a time interval for a simultaneous signal and a time interval for an individual signal of information to be displayed on a display device; simultaneously modulating output signals of three Red-Green-Blue (RGB) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) making up one pixel, and transferring the modulated information to the display device; individually modulating output signals of the three RGB LEDs and transferring the modulated information to the display device; and displaying the modulated information for any selected one of the time interval for the simultaneous signal and the time interval for the individual signal.

Abstract: A reconnection method and device for a peripheral interface using VLC provide a protocol for when a communication link between a primary device and a secondary device is disconnected. The primary device generates an R-XID message including reconnection information and a warning indication signal indicating the disconnection. The secondary device aligns the communication link with the primary device using the warning indication signal, receives the R-XID message from the primary device by the secondary device, and transmits an R-XID response message for the R-XID message to the primary device.

Abstract: A method for generating a visible signal for a data transmission frame in a visible-light communication system includes: receiving specific data constituted by a plurality of frames from a sender; checking and converting a received signal strength indication (RSSI) signal measured from the sender; whenever each frame of the specific data is consecutively received, checking the converted RSSI, determining a level of a visible signal for distinctively displaying a state of a corresponding communication channel, and transmitting the level of the visible signal to the sender; and when reception of the specific data has finished, transmitting a corresponding response message to the sender, according to whether the specific data has been successfully received.

Abstract: A wireless communication method between mobile terminals using visible light and a mobile terminal therefore are disclosed. The method includes: periodically transmitting device discovery signals for searching for a visible light communication device when there is a request for a visible light communication; transmitting only reference clock signals between the device discovery signals; and connecting a link to a receiving terminal to transmit data when a response signal for the device discovery signal is received from the receiving terminal.

Abstract: A method of providing a visible light communication in a data link layer of a visible light communication system adopting an infrared communication link connection protocol includes: broadcasting a discovery exchange station identification (D-XID) frame; generating a visible frame to provide a visibility to a link for a specified waiting time period for responding to the broadcast D-XID frame; exchanging a set normal response mode (SNRM) frame and an unnumbered acknowledgement (UA) frame for requesting a link setting between the transmitting and receiving terminals; generating visible frames for a waiting time for receiving the SNRM frame and the UA frame; exchanging an information transfer frame (I-frame) and a receive ready (RR) frame, which is a response to the I-frame, between the transmitting and receiving terminals; and generating visible frames for a specified waiting period for receiving the I-frame and the RR frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arranging communication links in visible light communication increases the user visibility of the system. The method includes the steps of: (a) synchronizing, by a visible light communication (VLC) exchange identification (XID) frame, (b) transmission timing of a primary device and a secondary device in an allocated time slot, and securing time so as to allow the primary device and the secondary device to perform an operation required for transmitting data; (c) transmitting an XID command frame from the primary to the secondary device and (d) transmitting an XID response frame from the secondary receiving the XID command frame to the primary; and (e) filling remaining space of the allocated time slot with a visibility field so as to increase visibility of the remaining space of the allocated time slot after receiving the XID command frame or the XID response frame.

Abstract: A system and method for continuing a communication link while maintaining visibility in visible light communication. A frame is transmitted by a sender for establishing a communication link before data transmission to a receiver by a sender. A receiver sends a response frame that reports on establishment of the communication link prior to data transmission by the sender. A data frame containing information is transmitted by the sender to the receiver. An acknowledgment frame is transmitted to the sender in response to the data frame. A disconnect frame is transmitted by the sender which is acknowledged by the receiver. A visible sequence is transmitted during a time period when the sender and the receiver do not transmit respective frames for communication to maintain visibility between two devices that may be communicating otherwise by, for example, infrared communication.