Abstract: Visible light communication is a new wireless communication technology which combines lighting and communication. However, the traditional photoelectric detector used as the receiver has a small detection dynamic range and low detection efficiency, which limits the development of visible light communication. In order to further improve the transmission distance and communication rate, the receiving model of multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) with array structure in visible light communication is studied in this paper. In the experiment, MPPC with analog output is used as the receiver for photoelectric conversion. Firstly, the visible light communication experiment system is built under the condition of weak light. Then, the maximum likelihood detection algorithm based on the ideal Poisson model is deduced and the corresponding bit error rate simulation diagram is given. The simulation results show that the performance of this algorithm is better than the traditional mean detection algorithm. Finally, the Poisson model and superposition characteristics of array structure output are studied by observing the eye diagram under different transmission conditions, and the simulation result of this algorithm is verified by experimental data. The experimental results show that the MPPC with array structure has some advantages over the traditional single photon detector in engineering application, which provides support for the design and optimization of the following visible light communication system.