LiFi is a recent advancement in Wireless communication that claims to deliver data at the speed of light.
“A team of researchers at the Fraunhofer Henrich Hertz Institute (HHI) in Germany has developed a Visible Light Communications (VLC) or LiFi system that while using conventional LEDs has successfully transmitted data at 3 Gb/s in a laboratory environment” – Extreme Tech
What is LiFi?
LiFi is commonly known as Light Fidelity in which data transmission is achieved through visible light instead of radio waves. It is similar to Wi-Fi in nearly all aspects except that it transmits light using Light Emitting Diode (LED) instead of Wi-Fi transmitter that transmits radio waves.
How does it work?
Working of LiFi is pretty simple. Light from LED bulbs is detected by a photo-detector (i.e. a light sensor incorporated into your device). As soon as it detects the direct incoming light, transfer of data from one place to another starts at the rates in the range of hundreds of megabits per second.
How practical is it?
With LiFi, you can easily download a high definition movie in just 30 secs!
The purpose behind coming up with the idea of LiFi is to allow exchange of data between several devices at higher speeds that is achieved by simply giving off light from LEDs at a distance of upto10meters.
Advantage
As light cannot penetrate or pass through walls, this is the biggest advantage of LiFi as compared to radio waves that have high penetrating power. This makes LiFi a threat to Wi-Fi because it doesn’t allow interference. Many organizations that deals in critical information related to aircraft systems welcomed LiFi with an open heart.
Limitations
. Why would someone switch on the LED bulbs in day time?
Critics raised a very valid point by placing this question in-front of inventors; at one hand they are concerned about energy and claim to conduct programs to conserve it while on the other hand they are promoting energy usage even in the daytime by inventing such gadgets. However, this question still remains unanswered.
. You can access data only if your device can see the light
LiFi is restricted by line of sight. If you want to access data, you must place your device at a position from where it can catch light easily.
Speedier Data Transfer Rates
For greater transfer speeds, LEDs of different colors could be used that vary light intensity. Data can be sent at a speed faster than the normal human eye can follow.
In short, if LiFi becomes a reality, it would make the wireless internet life quite flexible without the hassle of blocked signals or stolen bandwidth.
