Digital data is optically broadcast through an environment by controllably switching the brightness or chrominance of LED solid state lamps, or of other illumination sources (e.g., television screens and backlit computer displays). This optical data channel is useful to convey cryptographic key data by which devices within the environment can authenticate themselves to a secure network. In some embodiments, the optical modulation is sensed by the camera of a smartphone. The row data output by the smartphone's camera sensor is processed to extract the modulated data signal. In some monochrome embodiments, data communication speeds far in excess of the camera's frame rate (e.g., 30/second), or even the camera's row rate (e.g., 14,400/second) are achieved. Still greater rates can be achieved by conveying different data in different chrominance channels. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

A portable electronic device includes a baseband integrated circuit configured to generate communication data and control signals. The portable electronic device also includes an optical path configured to be coupled to the baseband integrated circuit to transmit the data signals from the baseband integrated circuit. The portable electronic device additionally includes a radiohead configured to be coupled to the optical path to receive the data signals transmitted along the optical path from the baseband integrated circuit.

A portable electronic device includes a baseband integrated circuit configured to generate communication data and control signals. The portable electronic device also includes an optical path configured to be coupled to the baseband integrated circuit to transmit the data signals from the baseband integrated circuit. The portable electronic device additionally includes a radiohead configured to be coupled to the optical path to receive the data signals transmitted along the optical path from the baseband integrated circuit.

An optical communication method is an optical communication method for performing optical communication with a light-emitting device serving as a communication target. The optical communication method includes: a first step of reading information relating to a distance to the light-emitting device and information relating to a size of a light-emitting region included in the light-emitting device, the information relating to the distance and the information relating to the size being stored in advance; a second step of controlling an imaging range of a camera based on the information relating to the distance and the information relating to the size, the camera capturing an image of light from the light-emitting device; and a third step of extracting a signal from light emitted from the light-emitting device based on image data that the camera has captured in the imaging range.

An optical communication method is an optical communication method for performing optical communication with a light-emitting device serving as a communication target. The optical communication method includes: a first step of reading information relating to a distance to the light-emitting device and information relating to a size of a light-emitting region included in the light-emitting device, the information relating to the distance and the information relating to the size being stored in advance; a second step of controlling an imaging range of a camera based on the information relating to the distance and the information relating to the size, the camera capturing an image of light from the light-emitting device; and a third step of extracting a signal from light emitted from the light-emitting device based on image data that the camera has captured in the imaging range.

An optical communication method is an optical communication method for performing optical communication with a light-emitting device serving as a communication target. The optical communication method includes: a first step of reading information relating to a distance to the light-emitting device and information relating to a size of a light-emitting region included in the light-emitting device, the information relating to the distance and the information relating to the size being stored in advance; a second step of controlling an imaging range of a camera based on the information relating to the distance and the information relating to the size, the camera capturing an image of light from the light-emitting device; and a third step of extracting a signal from light emitted from the light-emitting device based on image data that the camera has captured in the imaging range.

A portable electronic device includes a baseband integrated circuit configured to generate communication data and control signals. The portable electronic device also includes an optical path configured to be coupled to the baseband integrated circuit to transmit the data signals from the baseband integrated circuit. The portable electronic device additionally includes a radiohead configured to be coupled to the optical path to receive the data signals transmitted along the optical path from the baseband integrated circuit.

A portable electronic device includes a baseband integrated circuit configured to generate communication data and control signals. The portable electronic device also includes an optical path configured to be coupled to the baseband integrated circuit to transmit the data signals from the baseband integrated circuit. The portable electronic device additionally includes a radiohead configured to be coupled to the optical path to receive the data signals transmitted along the optical path from the baseband integrated circuit.

Embodiments disclosed herein include optical communication modules and optoelectronic packages. In an embodiment, an optical communication module comprises a substrate, a transistor over the substrate, an array of micro light emitting diodes (LEDs) over the transistor, and a connector over the array of micro LEDs.