Simultaneous lightwave information and power transfer in optical wireless communication networks: An overview and outlook

Objectives: The main objective of this article is to provide a critical review of up-to-date contributions to simultaneous lightwave information and power transfer (SLIPT) in optical wireless communication (OWC) networks. Methods: The first section of this article emphasizes the need for the exploitation of optical signals for energy harvesting purposes in order to develop a sustainable OWC system. In the second section, we provide basic guidelines to be considered for designing an efficient SLIPT system. In the third section, SLIPT structure from the viewpoint of transceiver architecture is analyzed with respect to achievable rate and harvested energy. The fourth section provides a critical review of various articles on SLIPT in OWC networks. Results: Our main findings from the analysis in section three show that receiver diversity can be achieved using multiple photodetectors. Consequently, this leads to an improved achievable rate and harvested energy of the SLIPT receivers. Also, based on the limitations of papers presented in section four, we are able to unlock several open issues and potential solutions that can be explored as future research areas. Conclusions: SLIPT is considered to be a key promising technique that can be used in developing green OWC networks. In this article, the performance of SLIPT receivers and various articles on SLIPT-related designs have are presented. Based on the transceiver analysis, limitations and design challenges of the articles presented, several areas that can be explored for future research work are identified. Thus, more contributions are still needed toward developing efficient SLIPT-based systems.