Abstract: In order to improve the data rate of visible light communications (VLC), a faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) VLC system is proposed based on the faster-than-Nyquist communication theory. Red light emitting diode (LED) with the wavelength of 660 nm, field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital/analog (D/A) conversion chip, filter chips, photo-diodes (PD), and related modules are employed to build the transceiver circuits with intensity modulation/direct detection. The proposed system can effectively improve the transmission rate of the VLC system without significantly increasing the system’s complexity and cost. Performance tests show that the system discussed here can realize FTN signal transmission at 1 Mbit/s, which is about 20% higher than the conventional Nyquist communication system with the same electronic and optical components.

Key words: faster-than-Nyquist, visible light communication, FPGA