Li-Fi Technology – The Future of Wireless Communication

Gopala Krishna Thammarala

Student of Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Sai Ganapati Engineering College, Visakhapatnam.

Abstract - Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) technology is line of sight between the transmitter and receiver.
a revolutionary wireless communication system
that uses light waves to transmit data. In 2011, The modern concept of Li-Fi technology was
while speaking in TED Talks, German Physicist developed by Harald Haas, a professor at the
Harald Haas first spoke about it. It has several University of Edinburgh, in 2011. He demonstrated
advantages over traditional Wi-Fi networks, that data could be transmitted through light waves
including faster speeds, better security, and by modulating the intensity of an LED bulb at high
greater energy efficiency. It uses the light as a speeds. The term "Li-Fi" was coined by Haas and
medium of high-speed communication just like stands for "light fidelity." Since then, several
Wi-Fi. This can be used at the places where radio researchers and companies have been working on
waves can be hazardous like hospitals, schools, developing Li-Fi technology for practical
etc. This paper explores the history, concept, and applications.
applications of Li-Fi technology. The paper also
discusses the advantages and limitations of this Ⅲ. ARCHITECTURE OF LI-FI TECHNOLOGY
technology and its potential impact on various The architecture of Li-Fi technology can be
industries. explained in terms of layers, similar to the OSI
(Open Systems Interconnection) model for network
Keywords - Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, LEDs, Wireless communication. The layers of Li-Fi technology are:
Communication, Light Spectrum, Radio Waves
Physical layer: This layer is responsible for
Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION
transmitting data through the physical medium,
The demand for high-speed internet connectivity which in the case of Li-Fi is visible light. The
has grown significantly in recent years. Traditional physical layer includes components such as the light
Wi-Fi networks have been the primary means of source (e.g. LED), modulator/demodulator, and
wireless communication, but they have several photodetector.
limitations. Wi-Fi networks use radio waves to
transmit data, which can cause interference with Data link layer: This layer is responsible for
other electronic devices and have security issues. Li- transmitting data between adjacent nodes (e.g. from
Fi technology is a new wireless communication a mobile device to a light fixture). The data link layer
system that uses light waves instead of radio waves includes components such as the access point (AP),
to transmit data. It is a relatively new technology that the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the
has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional logical link control (LLC) layer.
Wi-Fi networks. The term "Li-Fi" stands for "light
Network layer: This layer is responsible for routing
fidelity," and it was coined by Harald Haas, a
data between different nodes in a network. The
professor at the University of Edinburgh, in 2011.
network layer includes components such as routers
Li-Fi technology is based on the concept of visible
and switches.
light communication (VLC), which uses visible
light, infrared, and ultraviolet waves to transmit Transport layer: This layer is responsible for
data. It uses LED bulbs to send data and can achieve ensuring reliable transmission of data. The transport
data transfer rates of up to 224 Gbps. This layer includes components such as TCP
technology has the potential to revolutionize the way (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User
we access the internet, communicate, and connect Datagram Protocol).
devices.
Application layer: This layer is responsible for the
Ⅱ. HISTORY actual application that uses the Li-Fi technology.
Examples of applications include internet browsing,
The concept of using light waves for wireless video streaming, and file sharing.
communication dates back to the 1880s when
Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter Overall, the architecture of Li-Fi technology is
developed the photophone. The photophone was a similar to other wireless communication
device that used a beam of light to transmit sound. technologies, but with the unique characteristic of
However, the photophone was not practical for long- using visible light as the medium for data
distance communication because it required a clear transmission.
 Ⅳ. WORKING OF LI-FI TECHNOLOGY rapid on/off cycles that are not visible to the human
eye.
Li-Fi technology works by using LED bulbs to
send data through light waves. The LED bulbs are Data Decoding: When the light waves reach the
modulated to send data by turning them on and off photo detector, they are detected and converted back
at high speeds. into digital data. The photo detector uses a
Harald Haas said in the explanation, “If the LED demodulation technique to extract the data from the
is on, you transmit a digital 1; if it’s off you transmit received light signal. The extracted data is then sent
a 0.[1] The LEDs can be switched on and off very to the device that is receiving the data.
quickly, which gives nice opportunities for
transmitting data.” Data Reception: The device that is receiving the
These rapid on/off cycles are not visible to the data must have a photo detector to detect the Li-Fi
human eye and are detected by a receiver that signal. Photodetector registers binary ‘1’ and ‘0’ as
converts the light waves back into data. The data can per the state of the transmitting LEDs. An array with
be sent using different colors of light, and each color numerous LEDs can be used to transmit the data that
represents a different channel for data transmission. helps in achieving the speed of hundreds of
The data can be sent over short distances, and the Mbps.[2] Once the Li-Fi signal is detected, the
speed of data transmission depends on the intensity device can decode the data and use it for various
of the light used. applications such as internet access, file transfer, and
communication.
Components of Li-Fi Technology:
There are three main components of Li-Fi Ⅴ. ADVANTAGES OF LI-FI TECHNOLOGY
technology: the LED light source, the photodetector, Li-Fi technology has several advantages over
and the modulation/demodulation unit. traditional Wi-Fi networks:
LED Light Source: LED bulbs are used as the 1. Higher Data Transfer Rates: Li-Fi technology
primary source of light for Li-Fi technology. The can transmit data at speeds of up to 224 Gbps,
LED light source is modulated to encode the data which is much faster than traditional Wi-Fi
that is being transmitted. The modulation of the LED networks. This is because light waves have a
light source can be done using different techniques higher frequency than radio waves, allowing
such as amplitude modulation, frequency more data to be transmitted at a faster rate.
modulation, or pulse position modulation. 2. Greater Security: Li-Fi technology offers
greater security than traditional Wi-Fi networks
Photo Detector: The photo detector is a receiver because light waves cannot penetrate walls or
that detects the modulated light signal and converts other obstacles. This makes it difficult for
it back into digital data. A photo detector can be hackers to intercept the signal.
integrated into a device such as a smartphone or 3. No Electromagnetic Interference: Li-Fi
computer to receive the Li-Fi signal. technology does not cause electromagnetic
interference (EMI) because it uses light waves
Modulation/Demodulation Unit: instead of radio waves. This makes it suitable for
The modulation/demodulation unit is responsible for use in sensitive environments such as hospitals
encoding the data onto the LED light source and and aircraft.
decoding the received light signal from the photo 4. Energy Efficiency: LED bulbs used in Li-Fi
detector. technology are energy-efficient and have a
longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. This
Working of Li-Fi Technology: reduces the cost of maintenance and makes Li-Fi
The working of Li-Fi technology can be technology more environmentally friendly.
explained in the following steps:
Data Encoding: To transmit data using Li-Fi Ⅵ. LIMITATIONS OF LI-FI TECHNOLOGY
technology, the data needs to be encoded onto the Although Li-Fi technology has several
LED light source. This is done by modulating the advantages, it also has some limitations.
intensity of the light emitted by the LED bulb using 1. It requires a clear line of sight between the
a modulation technique such as amplitude transmitter and receiver, which means it cannot
modulation, frequency modulation, or pulse position penetrate walls. This limits its range and makes
modulation. This modulation encodes the data onto it suitable only for indoor applications.
the light waves. 2. It is affected by external light sources such as
sunlight, which can interfere with data
Transmission: Once the data has been encoded onto transmission.
the LED light source, the light waves are transmitted 3. The cost of implementing Li-Fi technology is
through the air to the photo detector. The currently higher than that of Wi-Fi networks,
transmission of the light waves occurs in the form of which may limit its adoption in some industries.
4. Speed of Li-Fi also depends on the speed of communication. This will be especially useful in
internet and server. Currently there are no applications such as smart homes, where many
servers or internet available which can support devices need to be connected to the internet.
such a high speed.[3] 2. Healthcare:
Li-Fi technology can be used in healthcare to
Ⅶ. APPLICATIONS OF LI-FI TECHNOLOGY improve patient care and reduce costs. For
Li-Fi technology has several potential example, it can be used to transmit medical data
applications in various fields. In healthcare, Li-Fi from sensors and devices to doctors and nurses
technology can be used to transmit medical data in in real-time. This can help reduce errors and
hospitals, providing doctors and nurses with real- improve patient outcomes. Li-Fi can also be used
time data on patients. In the automotive industry, Li- in hospitals to enable high-speed internet access
Fi technology can be used to transmit data between without interfering with sensitive medical
cars, making communication between vehicles safer equipment.
and more efficient. 3. Automotive Industry:
Li-Fi technology can be used in the automotive
Ⅷ. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LI-FI & WI-FI industry to improve safety and connectivity. Li-
Fi can enable faster and more efficient
S.No WI-FI LI-FI communication between vehicles, allowing for
1. It uses a range of It uses visible and faster reaction times and safer driving. Li-Fi can
radio frequencies infrared spectrum to also be used to provide high-speed internet
to transmit data. transmit data. access to passengers, making long journeys more
2. It can transmit It can transmit data enjoyable.
data at speeds of at speeds of upto 4. Education:
upto 9.6Gbps. 224Gbps. Li-Fi technology can be used in education to
3. Wi-Fi signals can Li-Fi signals are improve learning outcomes. It can be used to
penetrate walls blocked by walls provide high-speed internet access in classrooms
and obstacles, and other obstacles, and libraries, enabling students to access online
allowing them to limiting their range. resources quickly and easily. Li-Fi can also be
cover a larger used to provide personalized learning
area experiences, where students can access content
4. Electromagnetic Li-Fi is suitable for tailored to their individual needs.
waves can cause sensitive 5. Military:
interference with environments such Li-Fi technology can be used in military
other electronic as hospitals since applications where security and speed are
devices and affect EMI doesn’t affect critical. Li-Fi can be used to transmit data
the quality of the Li-Fi transmission. securely and quickly between military personnel
signal. and equipment, allowing for faster response
5. Wi-Fi signals can Light waves cannot times and better communication. Li-Fi can also
be intercepted by penetrate walls or be used to provide high-speed internet access in
hackers using other obstacles, it is military bases, improving the quality of life for
specialized difficult for hackers soldiers.
equipment. to intercept the
signal Ⅹ. CONCLUSION
6. Wi-Fi is more Li-Fi technology is Li-Fi technology is a promising wireless
widely available still in its early
communication system that uses light waves to
than Li-Fi. Wi-Fi stages of
is already development and is transmit data. It has several advantages over
installed in many not yet widely traditional Wi-Fi networks, including faster speeds,
public places available. better security, and greater energy efficiency. Li-Fi
such as airports, technology has the potential to revolutionize the way
cafes, and hotels. we access the internet, communicate, and connect
Table 1 - Difference between Li-Fi and Wi-Fi
devices. Although Li-Fi technology is still in its
Ⅸ. FUTURE SCOPE early stages, it is expected to become more widely
used in the near future.
1. Internet of Things (IoT):
Li-Fi technology has the potential to
REFERENCES
revolutionize the IoT industry. The high-speed 1. Wireless data from every light bulb. Haas
data transmission capabilities of Li-Fi can be
used to connect a large number of devices, Harald, Edinburgh, Scotland: July 2011, TED
enabling faster and more efficient Global.
2. A review paper on Li-Fi Technology. Nischay,
Jaipur, India: VIMPACT, 2017. International
Journal of Engineering Research & Technology
(IJERT)
3. What is Li-Fi? [Youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FfZ5j1RK
gA&feature=share