Visible Light Communication (VLC) Integration into Commercial Luminaires with Dimming for IoT Applications

Project title: Visible Light Communication (VLC) Integration into Commercial Luminaires with Dimming for IoT Applications

Position: PhD candidate / Masters student

Benefits: 

If you are a Malaysian with a first-class or first-class equivalent graduate from recognized degree programs:

• 100% tuition fee waiver

• RM2,850 monthly stipend for 42 months (for PhD, shorter period for Masters)

You get to work in the Monash Malaysia Intelligent Lighting Laboratory, the only academic research laboratory in Klang Valley that is well equipped for light metrology and characterization, and certified with ISO9001 from BSI ANZ since 2021. You will also be working in a research group with great track record in visible light technologies.

Supervisor: Dr. Khong Yin Jou, Dr Joanne Lim and Assoc. Prof. Vineetha Kalavally 

Project Description:

Conventional radiofrequency(RF)-based communication is facing interference issues and “spectrum crunch” due to congestion of the RF spectrum, especially in a limited indoor space Internet of Things (IoT) application scenario. Visible light communication (VLC) is long touted as the complementary technology to help alleviate such issues. Though having its own limitations, VLC possess benefits over RF communications which can make it extremely beneficial in specific use cases, such as IoT. However, the limitations such as line-of-sight communication, visibility of light rays during communication and device bandwidths must be resolved before it can be fully rolled out.

Researchers have made strides in this direction, however, in order for the public to widely adopt this technology, the barrier of technology uptake must be reduced to a minimum. In this era of solid state lighting mostly powered by the light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a great opportunity is presented to us where VLC technology can be easily integrated into existing commercial LED luminaires. This research project aims to investigate various means of useful integration of VLC targeted for IoT applications into commercial luminaires, while supporting full range of dimming levels.

Requirements:

1. Open to Malaysians only (if applicant needs scholarship funding) / Open to international students (if applicant is self-funded or already has funding/scholarship)

2. Hold an excellent Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.00 (Second upper) or equivalent (for Masters) / 3.67 (First class) or equivalent (for PhD) in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar disciplines. 

3. Students who are expected to graduate soon are also encouraged to apply.

4. Having prior journal publications is highly preferable.

5. Strong analytical skills and mathematical background.

6. Fundamental knowledge in the areas of communications, analog and digital circuits, and semiconductors.

7. Strong skills in programming/ using tools, such as MATLAB, C/C++, and VHDL/Verilog

8. Resourceful, motivated, and self-driven.

9. Able to learn new skills and tools on-the-go, on one’s own initiative.

Please contact Dr Khong Yin Jou via email yinjou.khong@monash.edu