The Internet is everywhere, and it can connect us to different things. But one technology already exists called Li-Fi. This new and unique technology is coming in the future and has the potential to change the way we connect to the Internet. Li-Fi offers various advantages over traditional Wi-Fi and is the future of wireless connectivity. However, it is still too early to say what this technology means for broadband in homes. So today, we will discuss what is Li-Fi and how Li-Fi works.
What is Li-Fi?
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Light Fidelity, also known as Li-Fi, is a wireless optical networking technology. It uses light-emitting diodes for data transmission, which in simple words means it uses the power of light to transmit data. Li-Fi is light-based Wi-Fi and uses light, not radio waves, to transmit information.
Li-Fi promises to deliver 100 times faster speeds than Wi-Fi. Research on Li-Fi has been going on since the early 2000s and, the German physicist Harald Haas along with his team established this technology by discovering that light can be used for two-way data transmission. Li-Fi is an extraordinary advancement compared to wireless networks and can increase the speed and bandwidth of Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G several times.
With Li-Fi, the band frequency of 200,000 GHz is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi's maximum 5 GHz. Its speed can transmit much more information per second. A 2017 study by Eindhoven University found a download rate of 42.8 Gbit/s with infrared light with a radius of 2.5 meters. But the best Wi-Fi barely reaches 300 Mbit/s.
How does Li-Fi work?
Li-Fi works like a visible light communication system and this process cannot be seen with the naked eye. The game-changer in this scenario is a compatible device, which can work to synthesize information quickly. Li-Fi does not depend on radio frequencies like Wi-Fi, and its connection will be free from electromagnetic interference.
In this, data is transferred through LED light bulbs. These bulbs transmit waves of light from one place to another, providing information similar to Morse code. Li-Fi is leading the commercialization of Li-Fi technology and products in the digital space. Li-Fi is being tested with LED luminaires in offices around the world and, the aeronautics industry is already working on solutions to integrate it into commercial aircraft.
Li-Fi technology is still in its early stages, so its real impact can be seen only after it is fully implemented in the world. According to a report, the global market could reach a value of $36 billion by 2028. Apart from this, the compound annual growth rate will increase to 71.2% in the next 10 years. By 2028, global growth in Li-Fi technology will be led by the Asia-Pacific region, which may overtake Europe.
Future of Li-Fi
Li-Fi technology was invented by German physicist Harald Haas, who is the professor and director of the Li-Fi Research and Development Center at the University of Edinburgh. This technology is still in its infancy and, it can reach our homes in just a few years. So, its real impact can be seen only after it is fully implemented in the world.
Li-Fi is also being researched in the US and other parts of the world and, how Li-Fi will affect the Internet will be known after some time. According to Oldecomm, Li-Fi can be made available anytime between 2024 and 2029, and implementing this technology will depend entirely on the company's investment. US companies funding research to develop Li-Fi technology are showing their interest.
VLNComm, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a pioneer in VLC technology and is also playing an important role in the development of Li-Fi. Apart from this, Signify, a company with energy-efficient lighting products, is also ahead in VLC technology, and its headquarters is in the Netherlands. Both these companies can lay the foundation for Li-Fi technology in the future.
On the other hand, the good thing is that this technology is being seen in various industries. Li-Fi Group says that this technology is important for sectors like defense and government, Which is the right way to transfer data securely. Some industries of the world are also using this technology and have recently been seen with Spectrum Network LLC located in Fife, Washington.
Li-Fi vs Wi-Fi
Its main advantages in the world of wireless networks include:
- Faster: Wi-Fi offers speeds between 11 and 300 Mbit/s but, Li-Fi has accepted a speed of 10 Gbit/s. One study found that it can reach up to 224 Gbit/s and there is a lot of variation in previous studies of Li-Fi.
- Li-Fi is 10 times cheaper and more durable than Wi-Fi. It requires fewer components to use and less energy.
- Any light fitting can be converted into a connection point for a Lifi connection. The fitting only needs to fit a simple Li-Fi emitter.
- It is more secure than Wi-Fi as light does not pass through walls like radio waves. This prevents hackers from intercepting LiFi communications via wireless networks.
- Li-Fi is more reliable by transmitting its signal without obstructions, making communication more stable than Wi-Fi.
- Li-Fi leverages light alone, which does not require a router. It also does not require cables and can work with infrared light.
- Internet connections via light with Li-Fi could prevent the collapse of the radio spectrum, and according to its inventor Harald Haas, this could happen by 2025.
Advantages of Li-Fi:
- The Li-Fi light spectrum is about 10,000 times larger than the spectrum of radio waves and provides 100 times more information than Wi-Fi. Data can be transmitted at a rate of 224 GB per second.
- Li-Fi is more efficient and cheaper than Wi-Fi, which can save costs in homes and workplaces. This technology can work without electronic devices such as routers, modems, etc.
- Radio waves can pass through walls, which can be blocked by people outside the network, compromising the security of your data. Light can be blocked by opaque objects, making Li-Fi more secure than Wi-Fi. Apart from this, some rooms can also be designated as high-security areas with Li-Fi networks.
- Li-Fi gives you internet with every light source and this technology can also be used through street lights, building lights, etc.
Disadvantages of Li-Fi:
- Light does not pass through walls, which provides limited range, but it is a good option from a security point of view. It can be used effectively in closed spaces. Li-Fi can go up to 32 meters in open space compared to Wi-Fi coverage.
- As this technology is still a new one and, is not compatible with many devices.
Conclusion
Li-Fi technology can be a great alternative to Wi-Fi in the future and theory, it can benefit many industries. However, it is not yet confirmed that this technology will completely replace Wi-Fi. It will take some time to see concrete evidence of its impact on wireless connectivity. As of now, it can be said that it will take a long time to come and can prove to be a great option for security. Li-Fi is promising, as we see growing interest among companies funding research to develop the standard.