Face detection and optical wireless communication module

A detection and communication module arranged to implement a face detection function and an optical wireless communication function, and comprising a processing unit, a transmission chain comprising a transmission analog front-end circuit and a light source, and a reception chain comprising a reception analog front-end circuit and a photoreceiver,

• the processing unit being arranged to transmit via the transmission chain a detection signal, to receive via the reception chain the detection signal following its reflection on a surface of the face of an individual, to measure a time of flight of the detection signal, and to evaluate a distance between the detection and communication module and the surface of the face of the individual,
• the processing unit being further arranged to transmit via the transmission chain a transmitted optical wireless communication signal containing data to be transmitted, and to receive via the reception chain a received optical wireless communication signal,
• wherein the detection signal and the transmitted optical wireless communication signal are included in a single mixed signal that comprises packets each comprising a detection frame, a communication preamble, and a communication frame comprising the data to be transmitted,
• wherein the detection frame comprises a binary signal having high autocorrelation and comprising a pseudo-random noise code, and
• wherein the optical wireless communication function is used to define the pseudo-random noise code assigned to the detection and communication module.