Li-Fi (/ˈlaɪfaɪ/; short for light fidelity) is a technology for wireless communication between devices using light to transmit data. In its present state only LED lamps can be used for the transmission of visible light.[1] The term was first introduced by Harald Haas during a 2011 TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh.[2] In technical terms, Li-Fi is a visible light communications system that is capable of transmitting data at high speeds over the visible light spectrum, ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
In terms of its end use the technology is similar to Wi-Fi. The key technical difference is that Wi-Fi uses radio frequency to transmit data. Using light to transmit data allows Li-Fi to offer several advantages like working across higher bandwidth, working in areas susceptible to electromagnetic interference (e.g. aircraft cabins, hospitals) and offering higher transmission speeds.[3] The technology is actively being developed by several organisations across the globe.
Technology details
This OWC technology uses light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a medium to deliver networked, mobile, high-speed communication in a similar manner to Wi-Fi.[4] The Li-Fi market is projected to have a compound annual growth rate of 82% from 2013 to 2018 and to be worth over $6 billion per year by 2018.[5]
Visible light communications (VLC) works by switching the current to the LEDs off and on at a very high rate,[6] too quick to be noticed by the human eye. Although Li-Fi LEDs would have to be kept on to transmit data, they could be dimmed to below human visibility while still emitting enough light to carry data.[7] The light waves cannot penetrate walls which makes a much shorter range, though more secure from hacking, relative to Wi-Fi.[8][9] Direct line of sight is not necessary for Li-Fi to transmit a signal; light reflected off the walls can achieve 70 Mbit/s.[10][11]
Li-Fi has the advantage of being useful in electromagnetic sensitive areas such as in aircraft cabins, hospitals and nuclear power plants without causing electromagnetic interference.[8][12][9] Both Wi-Fi and Li-Fi transmit data over the electromagnetic spectrum, but whereas Wi-Fi utilizes radio waves, Li-Fi uses visible light, Ultraviolet and Infrared. While the US Federal Communications Commission has warned of a potential spectrum crisis because Wi-Fi is close to full capacity, Li-Fi has almost no limitations on capacity.[13] The visible light spectrum is 10,000 times larger than the entire radio frequency spectrum.[14] Researchers have reached data rates of over 224 Gbit/s,[15] which was much faster than typical fast broadband in 2013.[16][17] Li-Fi is expected to be ten times cheaper than Wi-Fi.[7] Short range, low reliability and high installation costs are the potential downsides.[5][6]
PureLiFi demonstrated the first commercially available Li-Fi system, the Li-1st, at the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.[18]
Bg-Fi is a Li-Fi system consisting of an application for a mobile device, and a simple consumer product, like an IoT (Internet of Things) device, with color sensor, microcontroller, and embedded software. Light from the mobile device display communicates to the color sensor on the consumer product, which converts the light into digital information. Light emitting diodes enable the consumer product to communicate synchronously with the mobile device.[19][20]
History
Professor Harald Haas coined the term “Li-Fi” at his 2011 TED Global Talk where he introduced the idea of “wireless data from every light”.[21] He is a Chair Professor of Mobile Communications at the University of Edinburgh, and the co-founder of pureLiFi.[22]
The general term “visible light communication” (VLC), whose history dates back to the 1880s, includes any use of the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit information. The D-Light project at Edinburgh’s Institute for Digital Communications was funded from January 2010 to January 2012.[23] Haas promoted this technology in his 2011 TED Global talk and helped start a company to market it.[24] PureLiFi, formerly pureVLC, is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) firm set up to commercialize Li-Fi products for integration with existing LED-lighting systems.[25][26] Oledcomm, French company founded by Pr Suat Topsu from Paris-Saclay University.
In October 2011, companies and industry groups formed the Li-Fi Consortium, to promote high-speed optical wireless systems and to overcome the limited amount of radio-based wireless spectrum available by exploiting a completely different part of the electromagnetic spectrum.[27]
A number of companies offer uni-directional VLC products, which is not the same as Li-Fi – a term defined by the IEEE 802.15.7r1 standardization committee.[28]
VLC technology was exhibited in 2012 using Li-Fi.[29] By August 2013, data rates of over 1.6 Gbit/s were demonstrated over a single color LED.[30] In September 2013, a press release said that Li-Fi, or VLC systems in general, do not require line-of-sight conditions.[31] In October 2013, it was reported Chinese manufacturers were working on Li-Fi development kits.[32]
Read more: Li-Fi – 200 Gbps via your room light