Free space optical communication-enabled textile assembly

A method of manufacturing a textile capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a photodetector within a pocket of a preform material in a lowest energy configuration relative to a subsequent flow pattern of the preform material;
• positioning a first electrical conductor within a slot of the preform material;
• drawing a fiber by causing the preform material to flow, wherein the drawing step i) embeds the photodetector within the fiber while maintaining the photodetector in the lowest energy configuration relative to the flow pattern of the preform material, and ii) causes the first electrical conductor to extend within the fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and to make electrical contact with the photodetector;
• and
• interlacing the drawn fiber with at least one additional fiber to form the textile.