IWOW Workshop Brings Together World-Renowned Researchers At Özyeğin University September 7 and 8, 2015

Latests developments in optical wireless communication technologies will be explored at Özyeğin University, Istanbul during the 4th edition of the International Workshop on Optical Wireless Communication (IWOW).  The workshop will take place on the Ozyegin University Çekmeköy Campus, this year, between September 7 and 8, 2015. Chaired by Prof. Dr. Murat Uysal, a member of the Faculty of Engineering at Özyeğin University, IWOW will bring more than 50 world-renowned researchers together to discuss the latest technologies in optical wireless communication technologies.

Ideal Solution for 5G Infrastructure

Prof. Dr. Uysal remarked that optical communication technologies will leave its mark on the next 5 years and will emerge as a powerful alternative to both fiber optic and conventional wireless communication technologies. For instance, optical communication technologies will allow us to transmit data over the air to miles away, at data transmission speeds of terabytes (1000 gigabytes), using laser transmitters, without the need for any fiber optical cables. These laser links are estimated to be the underlying technology that will be employed to connect ultra-high-capacity 5G base stations and be widely used after 2020.

First Demos of Wireless Internet Connectivity Through A Light Bulb Will Be Exhibited at IWOW

Another example of the optical wireless communication technology uses the lighting infrastructure at home or at work for Internet access. In this system, LED bulbs are used as transmitters and modulated in high frequencies invisible to the human eye. As an alternative to the WiFi technology, these systems can reach data transmission speeds of gigabytes (1 billion bytes per second). The term Li-Fi was coined to refer to these systems and the first demos of Li-Fİ technology will be exhibited during the fourth edition of IWOW.

Automobiles will Talk with Each Other

Automotive industry also makes an extensive use of LEDs. Automobiles equipped with optical wireless communication technology will be able to communicate with each other using their headlights and tail lights. The technology aims to trasmit real-time road and traffic data to drivers to increase the safety of drivers and their passengers.

Training School co-located with the Workshop

Prof. Dr. Uysal emphasized that the examples he provided are only a few of the optical wireless communication applications and that optical wireless communication has an enormous potential to be the technology of the future with its extensive fields of use and great advantages. Prof. Uysal also highlighted the importance of IWOW workshop and the privilege of organizing IWOW in Turkey.

In conjuction with the workshop, there will also be a training school for graduate students and early stage researchers. OPTICWISE Training School will offer a series of courses and seminars on optical wireless communication to more than 40 graduate students from Turkey and Europe.  

Further details are available at http://iwow.ozyegin.edu.tr/.