In this technological era we have seen many developments in technology. Day by day many new innovations are taking place.
When it comed to communication systems we have seen many generational changes. From the day of innovation, communication systems have evolved in many phases.
We all know about wifi. But have you ever heard of Li-Fi. Yes, you might be surprised to listen to this, but there is a such communication technology which uses light as its communication mode.
Li-Fi is a wireless communication technology which utilises light to transmit data and position between devices.
The term was first introduced by Harald Haas during a 2011 TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh.
Li-Fi is a light communication system that is capable of transmitting data at high speeds over the visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared spectrums. In its present state, only LED lamps can be used for the transmission of data in visible light.
In terms of its end user, the technology is similar to Wi-Fi — the key technical difference being that Wi-Fi uses radio frequency to induce a voltage in an antenna to transmit data, whereas Li-Fi uses the modulation of light intensity to transmit data. Li-Fi is able to function in areas otherwise susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
Bg-Fi is a Li-Fi system consisting of an application for a mobile device, and a simple consumer product, like an IoT device, with color sensor, microcontroller, and embedded software. Light from the mobile device display communicates to the color sensor on the consumer product, which converts the light into digital information. Light-emitting diodes enable the consumer product to communicate synchronously with the mobile device.
Li-Fi is a derivative of optical wireless communications technology, which uses light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a medium to deliver network, mobile, high-speed communication in a similar manner to Wi-Fi.Technologies that allow roaming between various Li-Fi cells, also known as handover, may allow to seamlessly transition between Li-Fi.
Li-Fi can potentially be useful in electromagnetic sensitive areas without causing electromagnetic interference.
Both Wi-Fi and Li-Fi transmit data over the electromagnetic spectrum, but whereas Wi-Fi utilises radio waves, Li-Fi uses visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light.
Li-Fi is expected to be ten times cheaper than Wi-Fi. The first commercially available Li-Fi system was presented at the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Although Li-Fi LEDs would have to be kept on to transmit data, they could be dimmed to below human visibility while still emitting enough light to carry data.
Since Li-Fi’s short wave range is unable to penetrate walls, transmitters would need to installed in every room of a building to ensure even Li-Fi distribution. The high installation costs associated with this requirement to achieve a level of practicality of the technology is one of the potential downsides.