Topic: Visible Light Communications for Next Generation Wireless Networks

Prof. Murat Uysal

Professor, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), UAE

Abstract

Visible Light Communication (VLC) is based on the principle of modulating the intensity of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to enable high data rate transmission over the unregulated optical spectrum. It is considered a powerful complement to radio frequency-based solutions in dense user environments and a viable alternative in locations where radio waves may be restricted or prohibited. In this talk, we will first provide an overview of this promising technology, highlighting its unique advantages and potential applications. We will then explain how VLC channels can be realistically modeled and introduce key physical layer technologies that enable the development of high-speed VLC systems. Although first-generation VLC modems have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of indoor light-based wireless networks, significant advancements are still needed to position VLC as an integral part of 6G and beyond networks. Toward this direction, we will discuss the current challenges and future research directions.

Speaker Biography

Murat Uysal received BSc and MSc degrees in electronics and communication engineering from Istanbul Technical University, Turkey, in 1995 and 1998, respectively, and his PhD degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, USA, in 2001. Dr. Uysal began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada in 2002 and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2007. In 2011, he joined Ozyegin University, Turkey where he served as the Department Chair of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Founding Director of Center of Excellence in Optical Wireless Communication Technologies (OKATEM). In September 2023, he joined New York University Abu Dhabi as a Professor of Electrical Engineering. Dr. Uysal’s research interests are in the broad area of communication theory with a particular emphasis on the physical layer aspects of wireless communication systems in radio and optical frequency bands. On these topics, he has authored some 450 journal and conference papers and received more than 22.000 citations with an h-index of 66. Uysal is an IEEE Fellow and the former Chair of the IEEE Turkey Section. He currently serves as an Area Editor for IEEE Transactions on Communications. Previously, he served as an Editor for IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, and IEEE Communications Letters. He was involved in the organization of several IEEE conferences at various levels. In particular, he served as the Technical Program Committee Chair of major IEEE conferences, including WCNC 2014, PIMRC 2019, and VTC-Fall 2019. Between 2011 and 2015, he was the Chair of EU COST Action OPTICWISE, a high-profile consolidated European scientific platform that brought together more than 150 researchers in the research area of optical wireless communication. Dr. Uysal’s major distinctions include NSERC Discovery Accelerator Award in 2008, University of Waterloo Engineering Research Excellence Award in 2010, Turkish Academy of Sciences Distinguished Young Scientist Award in 2011, Ozyegin University Outstanding Researcher Award in 2014, National Instruments Engineering Impact Award in 2017, Elginkan Foundation Technology Award in 2018, IEEE Communications Society Best Survey Paper Award in 2019, IEEE Turkey Section Outstanding Service Award in 2021, Mustafa Prize and Tubitak Science Award in 2023.