Many years ago, German physicist Harald Haas and his team created Li-Fi technology that can use light sources for two-way data transmission, and introduced the technology at the 2011 TEDGlobal Global Conference.
Light Internet technology (Light Fidelity, Li-Fi, also translated as light fax, light fidelity) uses light energy to transmit data, which is different from Wi-Fi wireless fax (Wireless Fidelity) technology that uses radio waves to establish wireless connections. Through the transmission of light, Li-Fi is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi.
Specifically, Li-Fi is a visible light communication system whose core technology uses LED lights to transmit data. The pulsed light emitted by these bulbs can produce a message similar to Morse code. Although it is visible light, the entire process is invisible to the naked eye. In this case, the game-changer is a compatible device that can quickly synthesize this information.
Li-Fi brings more than just higher-speed data transmission. LiFiGroup, a pioneer that focuses on commercializing Li-Fi technology and products, emphasizes that higher security is another important advantage of Li-Fi. Because light cannot penetrate walls, the signal will be limited to the area illuminated by the light source, which greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
Li-Fi's theoretical speed can reach up to 224,000Mbps, which is particularly beneficial for smart cities, virtual reality, 4K streaming, and online games with low latency requirements. In addition, the radio frequencies used by Wi-Fi are particularly susceptible to electromagnetic interference, but Li-Fi does not suffer from this problem at all. Li-Fi may also be a safer option for homes because it produces less radiation.
▲List of advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi (Source: compiled by Technews)
As more and more industries begin to use Li-Fi, the popularity of this technology will not be far away. LiFiGroup believes that this technology is particularly suitable for areas such as defense and government that require data transmission security. In addition, the aviation industry, such as Spectrum Networks LLC in Fife, Washington, USA, is also using this technology.
In addition, many companies are actively investing in the development of Li-Fi technology. VLNComm, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, is a leader in visible light communication technology (VLC) and plays an extremely important role in the development of Li-Fi technology. Signify, which is famous for its energy-saving lighting products and also plays a key role in VLC technology, is headquartered in the Netherlands and has a North American branch in Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA. Both companies are laying the foundation for Li-Fi technology.