Modeling of lithium niobate based Mach-Zehnder modulator for visible light communication system with BER analysis

Visible Light Communication is a very promising candidate for future optical wireless technology by solving the problem of crowded RF spectrum, supporting high data rate systems and reducing the cost of installation. Modulation schemes reported for VLC are mainly intensity modulation which introduces flickering and limits the efficiency of transmitted data. Use of external modulator can solve above stated problems. This article proposes modeling and simulation of Lithium Niobate based Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) at 680 nm, 640 nm, and 670 nm which can be considered as future options for VLC systems. The designs of MZMs are simulated using the beam propagation method and validated through numerical modeling. The maximum obtained extinction ratio is 30 dB for MZM at 640 nm. BER results of VLC systems with all proposed devices are compared and analyzed.