Li-Fi - Lighting Technology That Can Send Data 100 Times Faster Than Wi-Fi

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In today's sophisticated era, almost everyone in the world can not be separated from technology. Moreover, now there is a sophisticated technology that can be taken wherever we want, "smartphone". And with the existence of these technologies we can more easily in the affairs of accessing the news we want to know through the internet.

But, to gain access, we also need a network to connect us with the outside world. Recently, there has emerged a wireless networking technology that often becomes a "goddess of fortuna" that saves us from the thirst of the internet, called "Wi-Fi" (Wireless Fidelity).

Usually Wi-Fi often we meet in public places such as in a store, restaurant, and other interesting places. Strong signal makes us feel at home to linger in the place just to spoil ourselves to continue to interact in the virtual world.

Almost in every shopping center or foodcourt using this Wi-Fi thing as an effort puller to place their business looks crowded, because it can not be denied that this Wi-Fi is a thing that is needed by most people who need the convenience to surf in cyberspace.

However, do you know if now found a new wireless network technology that will be much more useful than Wi-Fi? Yes, this technology is called Li-Fi (Light Fidelity), a network technology that uses light as a medium for transmitting its network. And Li-Fi network technology is often underdog as a technology that will replace the Wi-Fi position as the main network today. To find out more about Li-Fi, let's refer to the following reviews.

What Is Li-Fi?

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Perhaps most of us have often heard the term Wi-Fi and only this time heard the term Li-Fi. Li-Fi stands for Light Fidelity which is a high-speed, two-way wireless communication technology similar to Wi-Fi technology. But, there is a striking difference between the two, Li-Fi uses a common commercial Light Emitting Diodes (LED) data transfer media.

The term is coined by Harald Haas and is a form of communication that utilizes visible light. This technology can be a complement to RF communications (Wi-Fi or mobile network). So far, the recorded speed is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi implementation, or nearly 224 gigabytes per second. Li-Fi has higher data rates compared to Wi-Fi, due to the different types of leds than other lamp types because they are semiconductors.

Li-Fi was first coined by professor Harald Haas, a physicist from Germany. Harald Haas created the lights as a wireless router in 2001. A year later, Harald founded the Li-Fi technology research firm PureLi-Fi with a group that has been researching Li-Fi since 2008.

In addition to being able to transmit data at high speeds, another advantage of Li-Fi is that it does not affect the radio signals. So it can be used in places that are susceptible to radio signal interference as in the plane. Li-Fi technology can also reduce electromagnetic pollution generated by radio waves.

However it does not mean Li-Fi has no lack / shortage. Light does not seem to be able to penetrate the wall, like what radio signals can do on Wi-Fi. In addition, for now light Li-Fi still can not be applied outside the room of the famous direct sunlight, because it will affect the Li-Fi signal too.

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The development of LED technology is able to provide an opportunity to synchronize internet network through LED media. Li-Fi is perfect for the use of the Internet network, with a variety of popular app content such as video and audio downloads, live streaming, and more. This application requires a considerable downlink bandwidth, but requires a minimum uplink capacity. With this most off-load internet traffic from RF signals can expand cellular and Wi-Fi capacity. Li-Fi has a useful advantage in electromagnetic sensitive areas such as in aircraft cabins, hospitals, and nuclear power plants (PLTN) without causing electromagnetic interference.

Wi-Fi and Li-Fi transmit data on the electro magnetic spectrum. However Wi-Fi uses radio gamma, while Li-Fi uses light waves. while the US Federal Communications Commission has warned of potential spectrum crises, as Wi-Fi is approaching over capacity. Li-Fi barely has capacity limits. The spectrum in light is 10,000 times greater than the entire radio frequency.

BG-Fi is a Li-Fi system consisting of apps for mobile devices, with simple products, such as internet of things (IoT) devices with color sensors, microcontrollers, and embedded mobile software. The light from the mobile device screen will be able to communicate with color sensors that convert light into digital information. The light-emitting diode enables consumer products to communicate synchronously with mobile devices.

Then, How Does Li-Fi Technology Work?

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Li-Fi technology will be able to use the light emitted from the LED as a medium between the high-speed network with existing hardware (such as: Smartphone, PC, Laptop, etc.). Light communication or visible light communication (VLC) works by switching current to LED off, and at very high levels, so that it can not be seen by the human eye because it is too fast to notice.

Although Li-Fi LEDs will continue to transmit data, they can dim under human visibility while still emitting enough light to carry data. The light wave can not penetrate the wall so as to make the distant signal short. Although it is safer to ward off hacking activities, which is relatively happening on wifi. Direct connection of sight is not required for Li-Fi in sending a signal, because the light reflected from the wall can reach 70 Mbps.

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More specifically, when a constant current is applied with constant LED lights the photons emitted from the observed lamps are used as light. if there has been light emitting then slowly the intensity of the light output dims up and down. Since the LED light is a semi conductor device at the time, due to optical output, it can be set at very high speeds which can be detected by the photo-detector device and back to the electric current. Intensity modulation is not visible to the human eye, and thus communication is as good as the RF signal. So with this technique, information can be sent at high speed and can be sent via an LED bulb.

Radio frequency communication requires radio circuits, antennas, and complex receiver components. While the Li-Fi is much simpler because it uses a direct modulation method similar to that used in the use of weak signal infrared, communication devices such as remote control unit. Infra red communication is limited in power due to safety and eye health requirements, while LED lights are of high intensity and can achieve enormous data rates.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi?

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Li-Fi technology is often said to have a better advantage than wifi. However, in addition to excess Li-Fi also has its own shortcomings. What are the advantages and disadvantages, please refer to the following reviews:

Advantages of Li-Fi Technology

• Capacity of light spectrum bandwidth 10,000 more than RF spectrum, unimpeded, and free in usage. The density of the Li-Fi data can reach about 1000 times the density of the wifi data because light is also present in tight and central illumination areas whereas RF tends to spread and cause interference. High speed can be achieved due to low noise, high device bandwidth and high intensity on optical output. Planning in the capacity becomes easier to do, because it is more likely to the lighting infrastructure where people want to use the network. In addition, excellent signal strength is also available.
• Efficiency at low cost as it requires fewer components than radio signal technology. Energy in LED lighting is efficient and data transmission requires additional power being ignored. The transmission environment on RF and propagation is very difficult, but not on the Li-Fi that works well in terms of environment. The safety of life on earth has evolved through exposure to light, so there is no safety or health problem in this technology. And there is no danger caused by this technology because the transmission of light avoids the use of radio frequencies that can interfere with electronic circuits in certain environments such as in aircraft.
• Security in privacy is greatly maintained because it is difficult to search for signals outside the area because the signal is confined to a special area and will not penetrate a wall other than glass. Data control can be directed from one device to another and users can see where the data is stored. There are no additional security features such as pairs in RF interconnections on bluetooth signals.

Disadvantages of Li-Fi Technology

• The Internet is unusable or inaccessible without the presence of a light source as a signal carrier. This can limit the location and situation where Li-Fi can be used.
• Because Li-Fi technology uses visible light, of course light can not penetrate a thick barrier like a wall, then the signal can not spread if there is a barrier.
• Other light sources may interfere with signals. One of the biggest potential drawbacks is the interception of signals outside the home. Sunlight will interfere with the signal, resulting in the breaking of the Internet.
• New infrastructure for Li-Fi needs to be built.

Application of Li-Fi Signals In Everyday Life

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This Li-Fi can be applied on any device as follows:

• In RF spectrum, Li-Fi can help reduce the excess capacity of the off-load cellular network to the network. So it can be very effective on downlink where congestion tends to occur frequently.
• In smart lighting, any personal or public lighting including streetlights can be used as the same Li-Fi and communications hotspot provider and sensor infrastructure can be used to monitor lighting and data controls.
• On mobile phone connectivity, laptops, smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices can interconnect directly using Li-Fi. With a variety of short links provide very high data rates and also provide higher security.
• In a dangerous sphere, Li-Fi provides a safe alternative to electromagnetic interference from radio frequency communications in environments such as mines and petrochemical plants.
• At the hospital and healthcare, Li-Fi will not emit electromagnetic interference and does not interfere with medical equipment nor will it be disturbed by scannerMRI.
• In the aviator plane, Li-Fi can be used to reduce weight and cable. It can also add flexibility to the seat in the passenger cabin of the aircraft layout, where the LED lamp is already in use. The In-flight Entertaiment (IFE) system can also be supported and integrated with the passenger mobile device itself.
• In underwater communication, since underwater communication requires strong signal absorption in water, the use of RF is impractical. Acoustic waves have very low bandwidth and disrupt marine life. Dna Li-Fi provides solutions for short distance communication.
• On vehicles and public transport, LED lights and tail-light lights are being introduced. Street lights, signage and traffic signals also use LED lights. And this can be used for roadside vehicles for communication. To reduce the use of RF signals, some people claim that they are very sensitive to radio frequencies so look for other alternatives, and Li-Fi provides a solution to the problem.
• At LBS (Location Based Service) Li-Fi provides a very accurate, location-specific location service such as navigation that enables the recipient to receive relevant corresponding information at the right time and location.
• In children's games, many games use LED lights, and this Li-Fi can be used to reduce low costs while communicating on interactive games.

Current Opinion About LiFi Technology

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Many people claim that this technology is their creation, like a company in Russia, “Stins Coman” announced that they have created a Li-Fi called “BeamCaster”. Even the creation has been sold in the US, Israel, China, to other countries. The BeamCaster can transfer information to electronic devices with the help of light. The core of this network is a router that capable of transmitting signals by using a beam of light at a distance of 7 to 8 meters. This signal can be transmitted to eight tools at once in different parts of the company and its access speed is four times higher than standard wifi.

According to the developers of these technologies, it has several advantages, including mobility and configuration speed. According to Dairus Zaents, head of the Russian RiT Technologies office, argues that the use of the technology is easy to use, because it only has to install its transmission model on the ceiling, set the configuration tool to receive modules on the work computer, and we will get active network in the office in just a few hours . And can be quickly dismantled if needed. Zaents one of the technology developers also explained that the maximum speed the wifi network reaches is 300 Mbps for all channels, not for every connected user.

One of these BeamCaster tool designers also emphasized that their breakthroughs are much safer and more environmentally friendly than wifi because the wifi signal is very easy to get. The signal can blow the wall, and the hackers can easily connect. While the tool only transferring data through the beam of light, so it is not possible to intercept or tapping. In addition, radio signals used by wifi can interfere with other electronic alata, such as certain medical devices. This glow of light is not influenced by external electromagnetic fields.

Sukhmolinov also considered this solution very interesting and promising, because it can be a good alternative wifi for big companies. In addition, the speed at the stationary tool is very high and much more protected from radio or cable signals. However, experts also doubt the future of this project because it has many shortcomings, such as difficulty in positioning receivers, difficulty working with other mobile devices, and relatively high implementation costs. And he thinks the market prospect of this tool is about five percent of the market owned by wifi today.

Well, based on the explanation that already existed above, it is not impossible wifi technology that we enjoy today will far we leave and switch to use this wireless network technology called Li-Fi. With the many advantages possessed by this Li-Fi, it is not impossible that many companies also use it, mainly because of the security features possessed by this Li-Fi technology.

But in addition, this Li-Fi also has a deficiency which we can not use it in the open room because there will be a disturbance of light from outside which will disrupt the performance of this Li-Fi network. So, for those who are used to surf the internet with the comfort that is outside the room, will not be able to feel the sensation of this Li-Fi network.

But, it seems like we should wait to taste this technology. Because for now, Li-Fi technology project should still be developed until later can really be used by the public. And certainly, in addition to the

Some useful videos to improve understanding of Li-Fi technology

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