Li-Fi Technology:Data Networking at your footstep

Li-Fi

Li-Fi is a technology for wireless communication between devices using light to transmit the data. The term was first introduced by Harald Haas during a 2011 TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Wi-Fi & Li-Fi ?

Li-Fi is a visible light communication system that is capable of transmitting data at very high speeds over the visible light spectrum, UV and IR radiation.

Wi-Fi is a wireless local area networking that uses Radio frequency for the transmission of data.

WHY Li-Fi?

Connectivity is evolving. The spectrum now has to accommodate more mobile users. Connected devices are forecasted increase to 20 Billion IoT devices by the year 2020. It is time to future proof our networks to enable the connectivity demands of tomorrow. With LiFi we can utilise spectrum more than 1000 times greater than the spectrum utilised for radio frequencies. LiFi is now unlocking unprecedented data and bandwidth.

HOW DOES Li-Fi WORK?

LiFi allows for data to be transmitted by modulating the intensity of light, which is then received by a photo-sensitive detector. The light signal is then demodulated into electronic form. This modulation is performed in such a way that it is not perceptible to the human eye. The way LiFi works is simple but powerful. When a constant current is applied to an LED light bulb, a constant stream of photons are emitted from the bulb which is seen as illumination. LED bulbs are semiconductor devices, which means the current, and therefore the illumination can be modulated at extremely high speeds which can be detected by the photo-detector. Using this technique allows for high-speed information can be transmitted from an LED light bulb.

ADVANTAGES OF Li-Fi OVER Wi-Fi?

Radio frequency communication requires radio circuits, antennas and complex receivers, whereas LiFi is much simpler and uses direct modulation methods similar to those used in low-cost infrared communications devices such as remote control units. LED light bulbs have high intensities and therefore can achieve very large data rates.

SECURITY WITH Li-Fi

The inherent security advantages of using light for wireless communications allows companies to enhance the security for the wireless networks significantly. The ability to strictly define the access points allows precise partitioning of the office environment. Moreover, Light can be contained. Light cannot travel through walls, which means a LiFi signal can be secured in a physical space. pureLiFi’s technology also enables additional control as data can be directed from one device to another. Users can see where data is going.

HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE

Li-Fi offers unprecedented opportunity with hospitals and healthcare facilities. Li-Fi does not emit any kind of electromagnetic radiations and hence doesn’t interfere with those emitted by the MRI scanners or any other medical instruments.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & SMART CITIES

Li-Fi enable the realization of smart cities. Street lights, building lights, and transportation lighting can all communicate wirelessly and this serves u all a dual purpose. Li-Fi can relieve public wireless congestion as an offloading facility for all radio frequencies.

DATA DENSITY AND INTERFERENCE NETWORKING

Data density offers a greater user experience as it reduces the need to share the wireless bandwidth with other users. LiFi can achieve approximately 1000 times the data density of Wi-Fi offering more data per square metre. This is an important factor for wireless efficiency.

Radio frequency technology such as Wi-Fi is vulnerable to interference from a wide range of devices such as cordless phones, microwaves and surrounding Wi-Fi networks. LiFi signals can be defined by the area of illumination, which means interference is much simpler to avoid and even stop altogether. This also means LiFi can be used in RF hostile zones such as hospitals, power plants and aircrafts.

EFFICIENCY

LiFi allows the re-purposing of light for communications as it uses the same infrastructure. LED lights are already widely efficient, and LiFi gives them 

another purpose, connectivity.

DISADAVNTAGES

1) Internet cannot be used without a light source. This could limit the locations and situations in which Li-Fi could be used.

 2)Because it uses visible light, and light cannot penetrate walls, the signal's range is limited by physical barriers.

3)Other sources of light may interfere with the signal. One of the biggest potential drawbacks is the interception of signals outdoors. Sunlight will interfere the signals, resulting in interrupted Internet.

4)A whole new infrastructure for Li-Fi would need to be constructed