The application of the visible-lighting communication system in the international space station

摘要

Lighting is necessary for the crewmembers, animals and plants to become active in the spacecraft. And, acquiring information and data through a wireless system about the spacecraft that changes every second is required to the crewmembers. The fluorescent light, which has high electric power efficiency, has been used for the lighting in the spacecraft. Since the universe has no gravity, a damage accident occurs with the fluorescent light if it does not have special hardness, which means high cost and heavy weight. Furthermore, radio wave to acquire information to the crewmembers is forbidden to use in the spacecraft because it has an influence on the electronic devices. Our research work focuses on the white LED (Light Emitting Diode). The recent improvement for lighting is remarkable in electric power efficiency and the toughness is better than the fluorescent light. Furthermore, it has bright output, long lifetimes. The optical wireless communication using the white LED can be modulated on and off in high speed. There is no problem such as electromagnetic interference because of the optical wireless communication. Then, this research proposes a compatible lighting and communication system using the white LED in the spacecraft.