Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Techniques described herein provide for a user equipment (UE) with a Modulated Retro Reflector (MRR) to support full duplex Optical Wireless Communications. To achieve full duplex communication, the UE and a network entity may use compatible modulation schemes for downlink communications and uplink communications. The UE and network entity may negotiate and agree upon compatible the uplink and downlink modulation schemes. The UE may receive a downlink OWC transmission using the downlink modulation scheme and transmit an uplink OWC transmission via modulating the downlink transmission in accordance with the uplink modulation scheme.