Some Applications and Advantages of Li-Fi

Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) is a new technology that acts as a network for wireless communication. It is bi-directional and uses common LED bulbs as a medium for transmission of very high speed and secured data. Already researchers are claiming that a speed of 10 GB/sec is achievable and may go beyond. This is a few times faster than the speed of current broadband connections.

The term Light Fidelity or Li-Fi was coined by a professor named Harold Haas and it uses visible light spectrum or ultra-violet or infrared spectrum for communication rather than radio frequency. Radio-frequency bandwidth is also known to have limitations and according to NBC News, the United States Federal Communications Commission had in 2009 forewarned of a broadband crisis that could soon cripple the communications industry and create a lot of challenges for the economy. Li-Fi, on the other hand, doesn’t have such limitations. As because LED bulbs are commonly available and their consumption is steadily on the rise, Li-Fi could soon become omnipresent and even reach remote areas which have so far been outside the radio frequency spectrum broadband connectivity.

Applications of Light Fidelity

Li-Fi can also be used in such areas which are electromagnetic sensitive. They can be used in hospitals, high security zones as well as on-flight airplanes where electromagnetic interference or data leakage could be fatal. LED lights can’t penetrate walls and so they don’t leak out unlike radio waves. That reduces security concerns.

Light Fidelity is an optical communication technology that could revolutionize the internet of things. You could probably get traffic updates through your GPS directly from traffic signals as you wait at a traffic signal or you could get information about a TV series on your smartphone as you hold it directed at your TV. You won’t even need software installations to make this communication possible. It has a wide scope of application in home automation devices and with increased speed and ease of communication, connecting different devices to a network for creating a smart surrounding is looking more practical.

Li-Fi could also be a far more affordable solution. Current broadband connections require optical fiber cables which are expensive and often run over long distances. If there are no obstructions, Li-Fi could even connect separate buildings and structures without the use of wires. It can definitely be used for internal communication using common LED light sources.

Li-Fi can be more useful underwater as well because light penetrates water and reaches far greater depths than radio waves. It can improve underwater communication used by divers and communication between underwater search equipment and controlling units situated above the water surface.

Conclusion

Li-Fi is developing fast and producing encouraging results. But, researchers have to consider all aspects and make it full-proof before it can be used for practical purposes. But communication experts are hopeful of positive outcomes.