Visible Light Communication Technologies: A Review of IEEE 802.15.7 and Its Role in Next‐Generation Networks

ABSTRACT Visible light communication (VLC) is a relatively new wireless communication technology that uses visible light to provide high‐speed, secure, and interference‐free data transfer. The current paper aims to review the IEEE 802.15.7 standard in depth, focusing on how it will enhance VLC for future global networks. The main contributions are a detailed treatment of modulation schemes, namely, on–off keying (OOK), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and a comparison of IEEE 802.15.7 with other VLC standards emphasizing its features. Finally, regarding use cases, the paper covers indoor positioning, extensive bandwidth data transfer, Internet of Things (IoT) compatibility, augmented reality, and virtual reality. It explores issues such as scalability, the issue of interference from ambient light, and the integration of the radio frequency (RF) system. Our validations and quantitative comparisons support the facts, and there is also a roadmap for future VLC research for implementation. This study presents possible opportunities and challenges for IEEE 802.15.7 to promote innovative growth for effective and sustainable communication systems among researchers and practitioners.