Saturday, December 12, 2015

What is Li-Fi?

Yes, it's time to shift from Wi-Fi to Li-Fi , an alternative technology that is 100 times faster than the average speeds of Wi-Fi. Scientists have just field-tested the new wireless technology called Li-Fi [Light Fidelity] for the first time and achieved marvelous wireless speeds that are 100 times faster than current Wi-Fi speeds.

This technology is a ground-breaking light-based (LEDs)

[light-emitting diodes] communication technology, which makes use of light waves instead of radio technology to deliver data.

Li-Fi technology will in future enable faster, more reliable internet connections, even when the demand for data usage has outgrown the available supply from existing technologies such as 4G, LTE and Wi-Fi. It will not replace these technologies, but will work seamlessly alongside them.

Using light to deliver wireless internet will also allow connectivity in environments that do not currently readily support Wi-Fi, such as aircraft cabins, hospitals and hazardous environments.

Light is already used for data transmission in fiber-optic cables and for point to

point links, but Li-Fi bulbs are outfitted with a chip that modulates the light imperceptibly for optical data transmission. Li-Fi data is transmitted by the LED bulbs and received by photoreceptors. Li-Fi's early developmental models were capable of 150 megabits-per-second (Mbps). Some commercial kits enabling that speed have been released. In the lab, with stronger LEDs and different technology, researchers have enabled 10 gigabits-per-second (Gbps), which is faster than 802.11ad.

Benefits of Li-Fi:

Higher speeds than Wi-Fi.
10000 times the frequency spectrum of radio.

More secure because data cannot be intercepted without a clear line of sight.
Prevents piggybacking.
Eliminates neighboring network interference.
Unimpeded by radio interference.
Does not create interference in sensitive electronics, making it better for use in environments like hospitals and aircraft.

what about the drawbacks?

currently in the development stage of Li-Fi so it’s unlikely to be in your home anytime in the near future.
Another issue is with light itself, although an advantage for security, as light cannot pass through walls, it’s a disadvantage for practicality. You’ll need to have all the rooms in a building kitted out with Li-Fi distributors if you want full coverage like WiFi.
Light pollution could also prove to be an issue with Li-Fi with other light sources interfering with the signal, this could also be the same for outdoor connectivity.