LI-FI (LIGHT FIDELITY) - Data at Light speed

So, why buy into Li-Fi?

Li-Fi isn’t a new principle, in fact it was announced to the world via a TED talk in 2011 by Professor Harald Hass. However, this emerging technology has now been earmarked by some industry speculators to be blasting its way at light speed towards a massive $9 Billion valuation in 2018.

How does it work?

An LED light source is fitted with a Li-Fi chip which rapidly adjusts levels of brightness, simulating binary (sequences of 1’s and 0’s used by machines to communicate at a base level) and thereby sending data to devices within range. All of this happens with a speed and subtlety that is undetectable to the human eye.

Why do we care?

Li-Fi will do much to facilitate the ongoing IoT revolution by offering a rapid & secure method of transmitting data between devices. Tantalisingly this development may also help contribute to an energy neutral expansion of  our existing telecommunications infrastructure through a natural pairing with Solar panel technology.

This means that Li-Fi will likely act as a vital tool to combat the daunting and ever-increasing digital divide as we enter a time of unprecedented technological expansion and a growing reliance on data for everyday tasks.

• Data at light speed – Whilst using the visible spectrum speeds of 3.5 Gb/s have been achieved, laser LED’s boast speeds upwards of 100Gb/s in laboratory conditions – this translates into incredibly rapid download/upload times.
• Security .. at light speed – Li-Fi really comes into its own in situations where traditional Wi-Fi is unsuitable, such as where secure data transfer is paramount. (Think corporate HQ / Hospitals / Banks) This is because Li-Fi offers a closed connection that is not susceptible to outside manipulation or spying.
• Lack of licensing  – there is far more license-free spectrum available in light transmission than in the crowded space occupied by radio waves and devices such as Wi-Fi transmitters. This means freedom from regulation and governmental scrutiny which should free up the Li-Fi industry for innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship in the space. (Sidenote: Whereas Wi-Fi operates at 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz, most common devices operate in the Megahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including your TV, Digital Radio & even Deep space radio communications which are typically restricted to the 2290 megahertz to 2300 megahertz range.
• Wider bandwidth available for use – Whereas typical radio waves have an operating frequency of 2.4Ghz, Li-Fi has hundreds of Terahertz to utilise.
• Backwards compatibility – With the appropriate chip integrated any LED ceiling light can become a Li-Fi hotspot, with the latest developments facilitating a coordinated network capable of maintaining connectivity across a room, or even a wider area such as an entire building.
• Cost – Li-Fi is more commercially viable than it might first appear thanks to the largely license-free bandwidth and ability to utilise existing light sources.
• Limitations / challenges – The budding technology faces various limitations and challenges including: Movement interrupting data flow, a lack of multi-user support and the fact that light transmission is unable to pass through solid objects.

See the video of Prof. Haas doing his thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHWIZsIBj3Q