The Optical Communications Research Group (OCRG) specialises in visible light communications, non-linear control systems and optical sensor research.

In optical communications, the group is undertaking pioneering work on visible light communications and organic visible light communications (the first in the world) for data communications, indoor localization and sensing. In this research we work in collaboration with many international research partners with funding from EPSRC, EU H2020 and other sources. The group also researches the real-time data-driven adaptive channel estimation for light fidelity (Li-Fi); transmission of 4G LTE and radio-over-optical/free space optics as part of the last mile access networks; as well as chromatic dispersion compensation based on using adaptive all pass filter.

In nonlinear control systems, the focus is on the observer design and related research topics such as parameter identification; model-based fault detection and diagnosis, and chaotic communication systems; with application to power systems; chemical and biotechnological processes; mechanical systems; and communications systems (non-uniform sampling, compressive sensing, and chaotic synchronization).

In optical sensor research, works include the design and fabrication of fibre Bragg grating devices for sensing, as well as optical communications; hetero-core fibre structures for novel fibre optical couplers and sensors; surface plasmon resonant for highly-integrated nanophotonics devices and their applications for biosensing.

In signal processing the focus is on adaptive signal processing, state estimation, filtering and its applications to wireless communication and control systems. This includes non-contact optical sensor for wastewater pollution load monitoring and environmental sensing; precision time synchronization and time-sensitive wireless networked control systems; and data-driven modelling and realistic simulation of industrial wireless sensor networks.

OCRG collaborates with many institutions from the USA, EU, Far East, and are involved in a number of research projects, including EU projects involving more than 20 countries. The Agilent sponsored Photonic Research Laboratory is the first of its kind in the North of England with unique and state-of-the-art test and measurement facilities in the UK and Europe.

The research within the group covers the following topics:

• Optical wireless communications, wireless sensor networks and radio over fibre/free space optics
• Visible light communications, optical sensors
• Photonics switching, nonlinear photonics, nonlinear control and estimation and mathematical modellin
• Adoptive signal processing, state estimation and filtering
• Intelligent mobile ad-hoc networks
• Microwave imaging & antenna