Recruitment

30 April 2010

Organisation: Tyndall National Institute

Ref. No: BC – 18

Title: Lead Investigator - Visible Light Communications (VLC)

VLC is an emerging disruptive technology using LEDs as a means to communicate over short distances either through free space or through large core plastic optical fibres (POF) and is now seen as an alternative to RF-based communications in wireless personal area networks (WPAN). The IEEE has recognised the potential of this technology and standardisation of the field is currently underway via the 802.15.7 VLC task group.

There are multiple opportunities for VLC and these must be considered with respect to RF-based communications. Key advantages are the high bandwidth possible with LEDs (or ultimately lasers), the low loss in an easily connected POF channel, the expected widespread use of solid state lighting in addition to obvious advantages of energy saving, long life and excellent visibility. Specific applications are mobile – mobile communication, in-home or factory communication and high speed data transfer in hospitals.

At Tyndall we have developed green emitting LEDs with intrinsic bandwidths of 100 MHz and demonstrated back to back data transfer of 350 Mb/s using a simple on/off protocol. The distribution of a datasheet outlining the performance has led to commercial interest in these high speed LEDs and the associated drive circuitry from members of the IEEE 802.15.7 VLC task group. We now have received provisional funding to carry on the work with a clear aim towards commercialisation of the technology.

The specific goals of the project are to develop VLC transceiver modules to suit the needs of end users. As the VLC standard is still in the development stage, we will take the unique opportunity to develop the next generation of “smart” LED systems integrating an illumination source and a new form of ubiquitous computing.

As a result we seek a dynamic person to lead the project. The ideal person will have a PhD or equivalent in electronics and have had exposure to system development be independent and interested in taking the technology to commercialisation. Tyndall has an extensive support network and will provide the necessary LED device technology.

For further information please contact Brian Corbett (brian.corbett@tyndall.ie).

To apply for this position, please send your current curriculum vitae, listing academic results to date and details of any previous experience, together with a cover letter containing the names of two referees, to careers@tyndall.ie, quoting reference number BC - 18.