For over a decade, researchers have been aware that blinking light bulbs can transmit large amounts of wireless data, going beyond simple infrared commands for devices like TVs. This technology, known as Li-Fi, has now been officially recognized by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) as a physical layer for wireless local area networks (LANs) under the IEEE 802.11 wireless standard.
Li-Fi utilizes invisible infrared light to achieve data transfer speeds ranging from 10 megabits per second to 9.6 gigabits per second. This means that light can become another access point and interface, providing the same networks and internet connectivity as Wi-Fi. The IEEE’s recognition of Li-Fi opens up opportunities for its integration into existing networks and the potential for simultaneous use with Wi-Fi to enhance overall network performance.
In fact, some IEEE members have already started experimenting with networks that utilize both Wi-Fi and Li-Fi to overcome the limitations of each technology. By intelligently steering devices to either network, they were able to improve the network by reducing collision probabilities.
Although Li-Fi products have been available in the market for a few years, their adoption has been limited. One reason for this is the existence of competing standards such as the International Telecommunication Union’s G.9991. Companies like Signify, the maker of Philips Hue, have incorporated data-beaming bulbs based on this standard. Li-Fi’s advantages include its high speeds, privacy, and lack of radio interference. However, challenges related to variable lighting conditions and the need for line-of-sight connections have hindered its wide-scale adoption.
CableLabs, a research and development consortium, acknowledges these limitations in its experiment writeup. They emphasize the need for improved reliability in Li-Fi, suggesting the use of multiple distributed optical frontends and dynamic beam steering to address these challenges.
The recent attention on Li-Fi can be attributed to the push from industry players to commercialize the technology. For instance, PureLiFi, a company founded by Dr. Harald Haas, who coined the term “Li-Fi,” has launched a module called the Light Antenna One. This small module can be integrated into smartphones and claims to deliver speeds of over 1Gbps, depending on the use case. PureLiFi states that its product is compliant with the 802.11bb standard and is ready for mass integration, marking a significant step toward widespread adoption of Li-Fi.
Overall, the formal recognition of Li-Fi by the IEEE and the introduction of commercially available Li-Fi products suggest that this technology has the potential to become a viable alternative or complement to Wi-Fi. With further advancements in reliability and ease of use, Li-Fi could transform the way we connect and transfer data wirelessly.
