What is LiFi ?
LiFi is transmission of data through illumination by taking the fiber out of fiber optics by sending data through a LED light bulb that varies in intensity faster than the human eye can follow.
Li-Fi is the term some have used to label the fast and cheap wireless-communication system, which is the optical version of Wi-Fi.
The term was first used in this context by Harald Haas in his TED Global talk on Visible Light Communication.
The technology was demonstrated at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas using a pair of Casio smartphones to exchange data using light of varying intensity given off from their screens, detectable at a distance of up to ten metres.
In October 2011 a number of companies and industry groups formed the Li-Fi Consortium, to promote high-speed optical wireless systems and to overcome the limited amount of radio-based wireless spectrum available by exploiting a completely different part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The consortium believes it is possible to achieve more than 10 Gbps, theoretically allowing a high-definition film to be downloaded in 30 seconds.
Li-Fi has the advantage of being able to be used in sensitive areas such as in aircraft without causing interference. However, the light waves used cannot penetrate walls.
Later in 2012, VLC, a firm set up to commercialize Li-Fi, will bring out Li-Fi products for firms installing LED-lighting systems.
Is It a Proven Technology ?
Yes, this is already proven.
Harald Haas demonstrated his invention using an ordinary table lamp that successfully transmitted data at speeds exceeding 10Mbps using light waves from LED light bulbs to a computer located below the lamp.
To prove that the light bulb was the source of the data stream, he periodically blocked the beam of light, causing the connection to drop.
LiFi Technology At a Glance !
The LED bulb will hold a micro-chip that will do the job of processing the data.
The light intensity can be manipulated to send data by tiny changes in amplitude.
This technology uses visible spectrum of light ,a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is still not greatly utilized.
In fact the technology transfers thousands of streams of data simultaneously, in parallel, in higher speeds with the help of special modulation, using a unique signal processing technology.
Some Points of LiFi
The light used to transmit the data is called D-light by Harald Hass,the inventor of LiFi.
In future data for laptops, Smartphone's, and tablets can be transmitted through the light in a room by using LiFi.
Security would be a snap—if you can’t see the light, you can’t access the data.
Applications of LiFi:
Can be used in the places where it is difficult to lay the optical fiber like hospitals. In operation theatre LiFi can be used for modern medical instruments.
In traffic signals LiFi can be used which will communicate with the LED lights of the cars and accident numbers can be decreased.
Thousand and millions of street lamps can be transferred to LiFi lamps to transfer data.
In aircraft LiFi can be used for data transmission.
It can be used in petroleum or chemical plants where other transmission or frequencies could be hazardous.
Conclusion
The possibilities are numerous and can be explored further. If his technology can be put into practical use, every bulb can be used something like a Wi-Fi hotspot to transmit wireless data .
