LiFi Technology

     

  

LiFi Technology

1. What is LiFi?

LiFi, also known as "Light Fidelity" is a wireless optical networking technology, which uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit data. In 2011, professor Harald Haas made a LiFi demonstration at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Global Talk on Visible Light Communication (VLC). VLC uses light as medium to deliver high-speed communication in a manner similar to Wi-Fi and complies with the IEEE standard IEEE 802.15.7. The IEEE 802.15.7 is a high-speed, bidirectional and fully networked wireless communication technology-based standard similar to Wi-Fi’s IEEE 802.11.

2. How does LiFi work?

LiFi is a high speed, bidirectional, and fully networked wireless communication of data using light. LiFi constitutes of several lightbulbs that form a wireless network. When an electrical current is applied to a LED light bulb a stream of light (photons) is emitted from the bulb. LED bulbs are semiconductor devices, which means that the brightness of the light flowing through them can be changed at extremely high speeds. This means that the signal can be sent by modulating the light at different rates. The signal can then be received by a detector that interprets the changes in light intensity (the signal) as data. Also when the LED is ON, you transmit a digital 1 and when it is OFF you transmit a 0.

3. Visible Light Communication

Visible Light Communication, also known as VLC, can be defined as the transmission of data through the use of light sources emitting at visible wavelengths between 400 and 800 THz (780–375 nm). It is a subset of optical wireless communications technologies. The VLC market is in its infant stage. There is a growing demand for an alternative wireless communication technology due to the crowding of the Radio Frequency (RF) bandwidth. This will result in the adoption of VLC technology on a global scale. As the VLC technology is based on LEDs, it does not face distortions or spectrum deficits and can transfer data at tremendous speeds.

4. LiFi vs Wi Fi

LiFi uses light for data transmission while WiFi uses electro-magnetic waves at radio frequencies for data transmission. Due to less interference incurred by light compare to radio frequency waves, it is used in more dense environments. LiFi covers distance of about 10 meters while WiFi covers about 30 meters.

5. Cost of LiFi

Getting LiFi products from different LiFi companies can be very expensive for consumers. According to pure LiFi, they are currently working towards miniaturisation of LiFi technology as well as making affordable for consumers in the long run. Ultimately the end goal is to have LiFi in every mobile device. This means that the technology will be affordable for integration into handsets, tablets and laptops. Ultimately the end consumer will see minimal or no cost associated with LiFi as the goal is to have LiFi embedded in every wireless mobile device. Today companies can speak to pure LiFi about working with us on proof of concept projects and other types of installations. These installations are priced based on individual requirements. Pure LiFi only offers B2B services.