## 4 OWC Technologies for the 5G, 6G, and IoT Solutions  
### Why Choose OWC Technologies?  
The RF band lies between 3 kHz and 300 GHz of the electromagnetic spectrum [2]. However, the range (3 kHz, 10 GHz) is widely used by the existing wireless technologies because of favorable communication properties in this range. This band is almost exhausted and insufficient in providing the high demands of the 5G/6G and IoT networks. It is also strictly regulated by the local and international authorities. The OWC has excellent features in providing for fulfilment of the strict requirements. The OWC can be used for a wide range of applications. Various types of communications, such as machine-to-machine, device-to-device, chip-to-chip, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, infrastructure-to-vehicle, point-to-point, and point-to-multipoint, can be accomplished using different OWC technologies [2; 6; 29]. Light allows connectivity over various ranges (nanometers to greater than 10,000 km) of communications, such as ultra-short-range inter-chip interconnects using FSO system and in-body networks using VLC, OCC, or LiFi systems; short-range LiFi, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and indoor positioning; medium range inter-building networks; long-range inter-city backhaul connectivity; and long-range satellite-to-satellite communications. It can also  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l l l} \hline \hline
**Issue** & **VLC** & **LiFi** & **OCC** & **FSO** \\ \hline Communication & Unidirectional or & Must be & Unidirectional & Unidirectional or \\ topology & bidirectional & bidirectional & Unidirectional & bidirectional \\ Communication & 20 m & 10 m & 60 m & Greater than 10,000 km \\ distance & 20 m & 10 m & 60 m & Greater than 10,000 km \\ Mobility support & Optional & Must & Optional & No \\ Environmental & Indoors: No & Indoors: No & Indoors: No & Yes \\ effect & Outdoors: Yes & Outdoors: Yes & No & Yes \\ Interference level & Low & Low & Low & Zero & Low \\  & 10 Gbps using LED & 10 Gbps using LED & & \\ Data rate & and 100 Gbps using & and 100 Gbps using & 55 Mbps & 40.665 Gbps \\  & LD & LD & & \\ Security & High & High & High & High \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 2: Comparison of the performance metrics in various OWC technologies [2; 18; 20; 24; 28; 42].  
Figure 1: OWC technologies for the 5G/6G and IoT systems.  
provide a high-data-rate communication link. The other key features of the OWC include high unregulated bandwidth, high level of security, low-power consumption, low infrastructure and device cost, no interference with RF devices and networks, high achievable SNR, and easy integration into existing lighting infrastructures. The most important limitation of the OWC systems is the blocking of transmission by obstacles. The coexistence of the RF and OWC networks can effectively solve most of the limitations of individual RF-based and optical wireless communication systems. Figure 2 presents a few important 5G/6G and IoT platforms using the OWC technologies. The OWC networks can support each and every platform of our lives, such as V2X communications, underwater communications, cellular connectivity support, space communication, smart shopping, electronic health (eHealth), and smart home. This section explains how the OWC networks can provide effective solutions for the 5G, 6G, and IoT deployment.