Li-Fi : The Untapped Potential | by Aman Srivastava

“By 2020, the world would have generated 44 Zettabytes of data and 'Internet of Things' devices would be more abundant than the human population itself, how is the world of technology planning to face such a big challenge?” Harald Haas has raised eyebrows about the potential of wireless communication in serving such massive data needs.

Light and its abundance is a known phenomenon to us, but what if we could use this phenomenon to stream hours of Netflix videos and send millions of messages, at a faster rate and that too, at a cheaper cost?

Well yes, Light Fidelity or Li-Fi is the perfect example of conversion of human needs into innovation. Radio-active transmissions worked out by Wireless Fidelity or Wi-Fi, have been revolutionary contributories towards the coming of the Age of Data. However, when Internet of Things, heavy streaming and consumerism put pressure on the wireless network, the efficiency reduces and alternate ways are looked upon. One such alternate way is Li-Fi as proposed by Harald Haas in a Ted Talk. One of the most abundant forms of energy, light can now be used to serve as a data transmitter for internet usage with the help of Li-Fi.

Let’s understand the basic working of Li-Fi

What is VLC?

VLC or Visible Light Communication is the base of Li-Fi technology which is based on the concept of input and output relation when light source is adjusted. If you change input for a light source, output would adjust accordingly in a proportional speed. This forms the basis for Li-Fi Technology, which will unfold as we delve deeper.

The Li-Fi system mainly includes the transmitter and the receiver. At the transmitter’s end, flashes in binary forms are modulated using LEDs, which are taken up by a photodiode which is used in receiving such LED flashes and signals and strengthens the same. Amplifier receives them to give final output.

Li-Fi is a Visible Light Communications System and the speed of the system is very high. Li-Fi uses light as medium of data transmission and/or exchange and does not use Gamma, U.V. or Infrared rays as these can be harmful to human body. At the same time, radio- active transmissions are not secure, as seen in the case of Wi-Fi as radio-active waves can penetrate walls. This makes light a suitable option to deal with the limitations of Wi-Fi.

Credit: pureVLC Ltd.

When current passes through LED bulbs, they emit photons and then these photons are modulated at different rates with such intensity that these flashes are not visible to human eyes. These modulations would help in sending data. On the sender’s end, signal processing systems work whereas photo detector or diodes help in receiving such signals with required intensity and make it visible in electronic form.

Difference between Wi-Fi and Li-Fi

Following are the points of difference between the two technologies:

1) Operation:

Li-Fi works on data transmission with the help of LEDs, whereas Wi-Fi works with the help of radio waves for data transmission.

2) Interference:

Wi-Fi technology is more prone to interference from nearby access points like other routers, which is not the case with Li-Fi technology.

3) Technological Setup:

Li-Fi works on present IrDA compliant devices, whereas Wi-Fi works on WLAN 802.11 compliant devices.

4) Applications:

Li-Fi is prominently supposed to revolutionize airlines, undersea explorations and operation theatre activities whereas Wi-Fi is majorly used for browsing activities with hotspot enabled model.

5) Advantages:

Less interference, sea penetration and working in dense regions are the basic positives for the light based technology.

6) Security:

More secure of the two is Light Fidelity, due to room confinement.

Advantages of Li-Fi

1) Efficiency:

Li-Fi is very efficient as it uses Light as a source of data transmission. We usually have LED lights in our homes and thus its usage does not require much setup costs and becomes economical as well as efficient as no extra e-waste is generated due to its usage. The flashing speed can be increased to an extent that it is not visible to human eyes.

2) Availability:

Light is an abundant element in our lives and with this Haas-inspired technology coming to the fore, light can be used to enact data transmissions everywhere. In homes, commercial complexes or malls, light is abundantly present and thus high speed data can be enjoyed by all.

3) Security:

One of the biggest advantages of Li-Fi is security, especially when you are living in a room or a flat, the data of your Wi-Fi routers can penetrate the walls and it becomes difficult to maintain full security and secrecy with the technology. This is dealt with in the usage of Li-Fi with walls acting as breakers for data transmission, due to irregularity and change of light source.

4) Bandwidth:

Li-Fi itself does not provide high speed. However, network providers can use Li-Fi's high bandwidth to deliver higher speed and thus many individuals can use the services of Li-Fi together without much interruptions.

5) Data Density:

Li-Fi can lead to focused and dense internet connectivity with focus on a particular spot and less wastage of resources.

6) No Radiation:

The biggest advantage of Li-Fi which is discussed quite infrequently these days, but will come out as a major merit in coming years with the radiation trends, is 'no radiation'. As light is already pervasive and does not harm individuals, Li-Fi can similarly be used without any such radiations.

7) Amalgamation for Light and Wireless communication industries:

Both the sectors want disruption, particularly the light industry. The disruption required can be a way to figure out how Li-Fi can serve as a synergy. The knowhow of communication and data transmission can be transferred to light segment for this disruption and thus it seems a win for everyone might not be too much to say.

Disadvantages of Li-Fi

1) The usage of light can become a major problem for some areas which are light or electricity deficient. Thus, Li-Fi requires action towards proper execution of technology which includes electrification and LED awareness.

2) Another limitation is hidden in one of the advantages of the technology that it has limited range for connectivity purposed due to no wall penetration. Despite being secure, it becomes non-feasible for few households with multiple rooms.

3) Sunlight might have formed a special place in readers’ minds with its light abundance; however sunlight can be an obstacle for Li-Fi growth as it can cause signal interferences and thus network can be disrupted.

4) The biggest question mark for a new technology, as discussed by us in the previous blogs too, is the infrastructure requirement for such projects and technological implementation.

Applications

1) Internet Browsing:

The basic application of a data transmission based technology lies in Internet Browsing services, as Li-Fi has shown that it can give economical, uninterrupted and faster internet services as compared to Wireless Fidelity.

2) Underwater Application:

Li-Fi can even be used with the help of light below sea level and underwater network transmissions can be successful with the help of Li-Fi.

3) Street Lights:

When Arvind Kejriwal promised Wi-Fi enabled Delhi, he could have used Li-Fi as a great medium as Li-Fi with normal streetlights is the best way to move forward, especially when streetlights will be used no matter Li-Fi is used or not, which makes Li-Fi a sustainable and efficient way to make a city or a town connected to free internet.

Recent Updates

Certain important updates have been seen in the Li-Fi technology development in last few days which include the following:

1. SIGNIFY tested its Li-Fi service and was able to generate a whopping 150 mbps speed, which is multiple times faster as compared to Wi-Fi. The company branded its project as TruLi-Fi and did so with the help of Phillips LEDs.

2. WIPRO, the king slayers of tech world are coming with their own Li-Fi technology in 60 days or so from the date of publishing.

3. Air France has suggested that it is planning on bringing Li-Fi facility to its airline services, which makes perfect sense as every advantage of Li-Fi perfectly fits a model like an airplane.

Conclusion

Light Fidelity is a revolutionary move towards making the world more interconnected with economical, secure and safer means. However, as discussed again and again, infrastructure is the major roadblock to attain the successful execution and implementation of this latest technology. A technology which runs on the VLC model and uses light, a non-exhaustive resource, is a good way to move forward in the digital revolution.