LiFi has been standardized by the IEEE. They released the 802.11bb standard for LiFi in June 2023. LiFi stands for “light fidelity.” Unlike WiFi, which uses radio waves, LiFi uses light waves from LED lamps or other light sources to send and receive data. I first wrote about Lifi in 2011. The IEEE started working on the standard in 2018. Standardization at IEEE is a critical step to enable interoperability between multiple vendors. The semiconductor and mobile phone industries are interested in LiFi.
Dominic Schulz, lead of LiFi development at Fraunhofer HHI, told Fierce Wireless that LiFi offers high-speed mobile connectivity in areas with limited RF. He says it can be used in “fixed wireless access, classrooms, medical and industrial scenarios, complementing or serving as an alternative to Wi-Fi and 5G.”
How LiFi works
LiFi works by modulating the intensity of light emitted by an LED lamp at very high speeds. Switching the LED on creates a logical 1, and switching the LED creates a logical 0. These signals are imperceptible to the human eye. The modulated light signals are then detected by a photodiode device, such as a smartphone camera or a dongle, that converts them back to electrical signals. The process is bidirectional, meaning that data can also be sent from the device to the lamp using infrared light.
The benefits of LiFi
LiFi has several advantages over WiFi, such as:
Higher speed – LiFi can achieve data rates of up to 224 Gbps, which is much faster than WiFi’s maximum speed of 6.9 Gbps. This is because LiFi uses a much larger spectrum of visible light, which is almost 10,000 times larger than the spectrum occupied by radio waves. However, LiFi requires a direct line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver, which means that the device has to be within the range and angle of the lamp.- Greater security – LiFi is more secure than WiFi because light cannot penetrate through walls or other opaque objects. This means that LiFi signals are confined to a specific area and cannot be intercepted by unauthorized users. Moreover, LiFi can also use encryption and authentication techniques to enhance security.
Increased reliability – LiFi is more reliable than WiFi because it is less affected by environmental factors, such as weather, noise, or electromagnetic interference. Moreover, LiFi can also provide better coverage and quality of service by using multiple lamps to create a network of access points.- Better efficiency – LiFi is more energy-efficient than WiFi because it uses LED lamps that consume less power and have a longer lifespan than conventional bulbs. Moreover, LiFi can also reduce interference and congestion in the radio spectrum, which is becoming increasingly crowded due to the growing demand for wireless services.
Challenges
The adoption of the IEEE standard does not guarantee that LiFi will take off. LiFi faces some challenges before it can become widely adopted, such as Limited availability. LiFi is currently not widely available in the market due to its newness and cost. There are only a few companies that offer LiFi products and services, such as pureLiFi, Oledcomm, or Signify. Moreover, LiFi requires infrastructure development and investment to install LiFi equipment to make the tech usable.
Applications
- Education: LiFi can provide high-speed internet access and interactive learning experiences in classrooms and libraries. For example, LiFi can enable students to download assignments or stream videos from LED lamps or projectors. Moreover, LiFi can also support augmented reality or virtual reality applications that enhance learning outcomes.
- Healthcare: LiFi can provide secure and reliable communication and data transfer in hospitals, clinics, or laboratories. For example, LiFi can enable doctors to access patient records or medical images from LED lamps or monitors. Furthermore, LiFi can also support wireless medical devices or sensors that monitor vital signs or deliver treatments.
Transportation: LiFi can provide fast and safe communication and navigation in vehicles. For example, LiFi can enable drivers to access traffic information or entertainment from LED headlights or taillights. Moreover, LiFi can also support autonomous driving or smart city applications that improve safety and efficiency.- Industry: LiFi can provide robust and flexible communication and automation in factories, warehouses, or offices. For example, LiFi can enable workers to access data or instructions from LED lamps or displays. Additionally, LiFi can also support wireless robots or machines that perform tasks or operations.
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LiFi is a promising wireless technology with the potential to revolutionize the future of wireless connectivity. However, it also faces some challenges.
To jump on the LiFi bandwagon you will need to replace your existing LED bulbs with new LiFi enabled LED bulbs. You will also need a photosensors (also called photodetectors) in your smartphones and laptops. Photosensors sensors are a new piece of technology which can “read” incoming light.
Related article
- LiFi (Light Fidelity) Market by Application, End-user, and Geography – Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 (Technavio)
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
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