Li-Fi technology on its way to dominate the market of Wi-Fi?
Li-Fi, short for Light Fidelity, is an inventive communication technology that has the potential to transform our wireless internet experience. Li-Fi is not meant to replace Wi-Fi but to work alongside it. It provides an extra way for devices to connect and offers better security using light instead of radio waves. This article explores the working principle of Li-Fi, its characteristics, as well as its potential impact on various industries and everyday life.
Li-Fi Overview:
LiFi (Light Fidelity) is a wireless optical networking technology that uses infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to transfer data. It is a high-speed and secure communication solution that can be used in a variety of applications, i.e., internet access, phone-to-phone or phone-to-TV communications, extended or mixed reality, industrial automation, and more.
Working Principle
The working principle of LiFi is based on the principle of Visible Light Communication (VLC). VLC is a technology that uses light to transmit data. In LiFi, the light source is an LED. The LED is switched on and off very quickly, which creates a stream of light pulses. These light pulses can be used to encode data.
To receive the data transmitted through Li-Fi, a special receiver called a photodiode is used. The photodiode detects the light pulses and converts them back into electronic signals, which can be understood and processed by devices like smartphones or computers. This signal can then be decoded and used to transmit data.
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More capable than WIFI?
Li-Fi has the potential to offer higher data rates than traditional Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi operates with radio frequency, Li-Fi utilizes visible light, which has a much larger bandwidth. LiFi can provide speeds up to 100 Gbps, which is much faster than Wi-Fi.
Li-Fi may excel in environments where high-speed, secure, and localized wireless communication is required, such as in certain industrial settings, hospitals, and more. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, provides broader coverage and compatibility with a wide range of devices, making it suitable for general internet access in homes, offices, and public spaces.
So, it will be difficult to declare one technology as universally more capable than the other.
Advantages of Li-Fi over Wi-Fi
- Higher data rates: LiFi can provide data rates up to 100 Gbps, which is much faster than Wi-Fi.
- More secure: LiFi is more secure than Wi-Fi, as it is difficult to intercept light signals.
- More efficient: LiFi is more efficient than Wi-Fi, as it only uses light when data is being transmitted.
- Can be used in areas where radio waves are not allowed: LiFi can be used in areas where radio waves are not allowed, such as hospitals and airplanes.
Disadvantages of Li-Fi
- Limited range: LiFi has a limited range, as light cannot penetrate walls or other opaque objects.
- Affected by environmental factors: LiFi can be affected by environmental factors, such as sunlight and dust.
- Requires new infrastructure: LiFi requires new infrastructure, as it is incompatible with existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.
- More expensive: LiFi is currently more expensive than Wi-Fi.
- Not as widely available: LiFi is not as widely available as Wi-Fi.
When will the Li-Fi be available easily?
Currently, some manufacturers offer Li-Fi devices and routers for small applications, but there is a growing interest in developing devices that support both Li-Fi and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi/Li-Fi combination routers are expected to provide enhanced performance. The new IEEE 802.11bb standard has officially recognized light as a physical layer for data transmission, paving the way for more Li-Fi devices.The first Li-Fi routers are expected to be released by the end of 2023.
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