What is Li-Fi technology? How it could change our lives?

Li-Fi or Light fidelity is an alternative to the existing Wi-Fi technology which could deliver faster internet download/upload speeds far higher than the existing technology yet we posses now. It could revolutionize the world by providing higher internet speeds, multiplying the bandwitdh of 3G & 4G which transmits data by wireless systems like LED bulb or infrared light. It has a band frequency upto 200K GHz compared with meagre 5K GHz of Wi-Fi is a lot faster than you think. A 2017 study by the University of Eindhoven, Li-Fi recorded a download rate of 42.8 Gbit/s (100 times faster than Wi-Fi) by using infrared light with a radius of only 2.5 metres versus barely just 300 Mbit/s with the best Wi-Fi. During experimental tests, it had recorded a massive 200+ Gbps but when it is oficially launched, it maybe little bit slower than the expected lab tests. However, it could still be far more faster than Wi-Fi dominating the future landscape during 5G. This technology is endorsed by major global companies to make it ready for adoption & diligently integrating in the 5G world.

It is bidirectional just like Wi-Fi which uses radio waves to transmit & receive signals but Li-Fi is almost different as it uses LED light bulbs of infrared & ultraviolet light which is almost unperceivable to the human eye wireless communication technology. This would be more efficient & secure than the classical wireless communication technology we had now.

How does Li-Fi work?

Data is transmitted by overhead lamp which produces light of various regions like visible, infrared, ultraviolet etc light. This light consists of data embedded which streams from bulb to photo-detector located in the receiver dongle at extremely high speeds which ultimately then transfers the received data onto the computer/laptop. This overall process is a lot faster as everything is accompanied by light. LED light bulbs are semiconductors which means they can conduct electricity based on its needs. Due to this effect, LED light bulbs emitted signals which carries our data can be easily modulated.

Introducing Li-Fi to the public

Li-Fi technology is a paradigm for 5G emerged currently under lab tests before rolling out to public & reaching every to household. All credits goes to the German physicist Harald Haas, a Director of the LiFi Research & Development Centre at the University of Edinburgh who is behind the technology. Professor Harald Haas coined the term “Li-Fi” at his 2011 TED Global Talk.

Sports & Gyms complexes, Airports, Shopping Malls, Hospitals, Schools, etc. are the hotspots expected to drive the massive development of this future wireless technology in less than a decade as anticipated in the Global Market for LiFi Technology Analysis and Forecast 2018-2028.

Benefits of Li-Fi

Faster speed: Li-Fi wireless technology will overtake the existing classical technologies. It provides an unprecedented speed of 224 gigabits per second in lab tests.

Reliable: It transmits & receives data signals with enhanced reliability without causing any interruptions. Interference free light communications with radio, aircrafts, ships, etc. waves making it more stable & reliable.

Huge Bandwidth: Ultimately, Li-Fi has adopted unprecedented bandwidth it works on light as a medium whose spectrum is 10,000 times huge versus the radio spectrum.

Highly Secure: Light emitted can be physically confined without intruding outside the designated area. This prevents ethical masterminds from impeding Li-Fi wireless communications.

Sustainable & Accessible: It costs a meagre amount as it is 10 times cheaper than Wi-Fi consuming less energy & far better technology with low maintenance required. Light bulbs can be easily converted into Li-Fi transmitters by adding an access point (Li-Fi signals emitter).

Disadvantages

Range: Light signals cannot travel through opaque objects like walls which acts as physical barriers. So, signal range will be restricted.

Interference: Sunlight rays or any other light source emitting light rays could definitely obstruct Li-Fi LED light bulb signals beam which results in uninterrupted internet.

Applications

Homes & Offices

Future buildings like homes, offices, schools, shopping malls etc will use the new Li-Fi technology for various services without getting easily compromised by any devices from a remote location.

Vehicles

Automobile industry will see huge changes as every vehicle will be equipped with Li-Fi light bulbs usually in the front & back lights. They could easily communicate with vehicles, traffic lights, signal towers & stations.

Advertisements

LED Li-Fi light bulbs fitted anywhere on the streets, roads or at the entrance of shops. A passerby’s smartphone on receiving the light signal from these bulbs will advertise any promotions or offers directly on the smartphone screen.

Sea water

Ocean vehicles like ships, frigates, submarines, etc. & most importantly remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) are controlled & operated usually with cables. These long cables probably restricts the movement of sea vehicles. Light can travel in water with a relatively slower speed as compared to air. This will eventually help sea vehicles get rid such cables & enhance their mobility.