• Optoelectronics Letters
  • Vol. 21, Issue 4, 205 (2025)
Shaher DWIK and Gurusamy SASIKALA
DOI: 10.1007/s11801-025-4045-5 Cite this Article
DWIK Shaher, SASIKALA Gurusamy. Modeling and simulation of a reconfigurable multifunctional optical sensor[J]. Optoelectronics Letters, 2025, 21(4): 205 Copy Citation Text show less

Abstract

Position sensitive device (PSD) sensor is a vital optical element that is mainly used in tracking systems for visible light communication (VLC). Recently, a new reconfigurable PSD architecture emerged. The proposed architecture makes the PSD perform more functions by modifying its architecture. As the PSD is mainly formed of an array of photodiodes. The primary concept involves employing transistors to alternate between the operating modes of the photodiodes (photoconductive and photovoltaic). Additionally, alternating among output pins can be done based on the required function. This paper presents the mathematical modeling and simulation of a reconfigurable-multifunctional optical sensor which can perform energy harvesting and data acquisition, as well as positioning, which is not available in the traditional PSDs. Simulation using the MATLAB software tool was achieved to demonstrate the modeling. The simulation results confirmed the validity of the mathematical modeling and proved that the modified sensor architecture, as depicted by the equations, accurately describes its behavior. The proposed sensor is expected to extend the battery’s lifecycle, reduce its physical size, and increase the integration and functionality of the system. The presented sensor might be used in free space optical (FSO) communication like cube satellites or even in underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC).