Li-Fi : The Future of Data Transmission

Dhawan Gupta, Student Member, IEEE, Hammad A. Ayyubi, Student Member, IEEE

 demand of large Gbps, and simply we are running out

Abstract— Data transmission has become the most basic utility in
field of technology. Though some excellent technologies like Wi-
Fi, Bluetooth, NFC have been implemented, our need has crossed
the limits long ago. We need a new technology for more efficient
and extremely fast data transmission.
LI-FI (Light-Fidelity) is the latest technology which meets our
requirements in speed, efficiency, capacity, security and
availability. Both Wi-Fi and Li-Fi transmit data over
the electromagnetic spectrum, but whereas Wi-Fi utilises radio
waves, Li-Fi uses visible light. Researchers have reached data
rates of over 10 Gbps, which is more than 250 times faster than
superfast broadband. Our paper deals with working and
implementation of Li-Fi. And also on its various applications.
Index Terms—Data Transmission, LED, Li-Fi, VLC, Wi-Fi
I. INTRODUCTION
I T WAS OBSERVED that data can be transmitted through
radio spectrum, this caused the development of the Wi-Fi
(wireless fidelity) idea. In the same sense later observations
of spectrum.
 Next Efficiency, we use lot of energy for working of
these base stations, but quite low percentage of
energy is used for the transmission.
 The next bothering reason is Availability, we cannot
use these radio techniques in some places like
aeroplane, military camps, etc. where the problem of
interference could arise.
 Security, which is major concern of communication,
our present communication techniques can penetrate
through walls and someone could use our network.
III. LI-FI : WORKING TECHNOLOGY
Li-Fi uses fast pulses of light to transmit information
wirelessly. The main components of this communication
system are
1) a high brightness white LED, which acts as a
communication source and
2) a silicon photodiode which shows good response to visible
wavelength region serving as the receiving element.

and analysis proved that data can be transmitted through light.
This led to the research of Li-Fi (Light Fidelity). The basic
idea is transmission of data using LED (Light Emitting
Diodes) which could change their intensity at amazingly great
speed.
Li-Fi is a VLC, visible light communication. It is optical
version of WI FI which uses invisible radio waves for
transmission of data. Li fi uses LED as its transmitter like
antenna to that of Wi-Fi router.
When the LED is ON the receiver registers 1 and when it is
OFF the receiver registers 0. LED can be switched on and off
to generate digital strings of 1s and 0s. Data can be encoded in
the light to generate a new data stream by varying the
flickering rate of the LED. The interesting part is the LED
bulbs can be switched ON and OFF within nanoseconds,
which is too fast for human eye to notice hence appearing
constant.

II. GENERAL DATA TRANSMISSION

Digital data are encoded to produce digital signal with desired
properties. Signal consists of two voltage levels to represent
two binary values. Digital signal represents a stream of 1’s and
0’s, which may represent digital data or may be encoding of
analogue data. Signal is propagated through repeaters at each
repeater, stream of one and zeroes are recovers from receiving
end and used to generate a new digital outbound signal.
A. Major problems in wireless data transmission
 One is the Capacity, the way we transmit data
presently is through radio waves, and the radio waves
are scarce, expensive, and limited to particular range. Although Li-Fi bulbs would have to be kept on to transmit
Due to this we are not able to cope up with the data, the bulbs could be dimmed to the point that they were
not visible to humans and yet still functional. The light waves
cannot penetrate walls which makes a much shorter range,
though more secure from hacking, relative to Wi-Fi. Direct
line of sight isn't necessary for Li-Fi to transmit signal and 9. Easy terminal Management.
light reflected off of the walls can achieve 70 Mbps. 10. Dynamic dark i.e. brightness Modulation of lamp output to
enhance video contrast.
IV. ADVANTAGES 11. Trouble-free integration into existing light engine
This technology doesn’t deal with radio waves, so it can easily platform.
be used in the places where Bluetooth, infrared, WIFI and
Internet are banned. In this way, it will be most helpful
transferring medium for us. It includes other benefits like:
V. COMPARISON OF LI-FI WITH OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
1. The major advantage of Li-Fi is that it can solve the
looming spectrum crisis. With need for wireless internet VLC is totally complementary to radio. In the same way as
growing every day, Wi-Fi, which utilises radio waves is Wi-Fi is seen as complimentary to cellular data, VLC or Li-Fi
close to full capacity. Whereas, Li-Fi, which uses visible is complementary to Wi-Fi. Unfortunately and consequently
Light, has almost no limitation on capacity. The visible Wi-Fi is now becoming heavily congested. Li-Fi can provide a
light spectrum is 10,000 times larger than the entire radio high speed, high density bearer onto which the congested Wi-
frequency spectrum. Fi downlink traffic can be off-loaded.
2. Data rates of over 10 Gbps have been achieved through
Li-Fi, which is more than 250 times faster than superfast Following table shows comparison between current and future
broadband. wireless technology:
3. Li-Fi has the advantage of being able to be used in Technology Speed Range
electromagnetic sensitive areas such as aircraft cabins
Wireless (current)
without causing electromagnetic interference.
4. Another advantage is this LED light bulb can be Wi-Fi – IEEE 150 Mbps 100 m
dimmed to a minimum luminosity so as to transmit 802.11n
the data. LED light bulbs are highly energy Bluetooth 3 Mbps 10 m
efficient, thereby cutting costs. Good news is that
IrDA 4 Mbps 1m
the network already exists only the technology has
to be adapted. Wireless (future)
5. With Wi-Fi, to get the best data rate you must seek out the
best signal strength – which is invisible. With Li-Fi it is WiGig 7 Gbps 12 m
obvious where the best data rate can be achieved – just Li-Fi 10 Gbps 10 m
find a spot which is well lit.
6. PoE (Power over Ethernet) is ideal for VLC since the
power and data signals are all carried over a single It is evident that the speed of the internet is incredibly high
cable. The power required for powerful LED lamps has and we can download movies, games, music etc. in just a few
been decreasing over the years, and at the same time the minutes with the help of this technology.
power that can by provided by PoE has increased. Allnet
have demonstrated beautifully that now it is practical to
power LEDs directly from an Ethernet switch. VI. APPLICATIONS
A. Hospitals
For a long time, medical technology has lagged behind the rest
of the wireless world as Operating rooms do not allow Wi-Fi
over radiation concerns. While Wi-Fi is in place in many
hospitals, interference from cell phones and computers can
block signals from monitoring equipment. LiFi solves both
problem as it is not only allowed in Operating rooms, it is not
affected by other electromagnetic signals.
B. Airlines
The best that Airlines have been able to provide, in terms of
wireless internet, is dial-up speed WiFi and that too interferes
with the radio signals of airlines. LiFi can provide high speed
internet without interfering with the radio signals.
C. Power Plants
Wi-Fi and many other radiation types are bad for sensitive
areas like those surrounding power plants. But power plants
7. Extremely high colour fidelity.
need fast, inter-connected data systems to monitor things like
8. Instant start time.
demand, grid integrity and (in nuclear plants) core
temperature. Li-Fi could offer safe, abundant connectivity for
all areas of these sensitive locations. The savings from proper
monitoring at a single power plant can add up to hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
D. Underwater Explorations
Underwater ROVs, those favourite toys of treasure seekers,
operate from large cables that supply their power and allow
them to receive signals from their pilots above. ROVs work
great, except when the tether isn’t long enough to explore an
area, or when it gets stuck on something. If their wires were
cut and replaced with light — say from a submerged, high-
powered lamp — then they would be much freer to explore.
They could also use their headlamps to communicate with
each other, processing data autonomously and referring
findings periodically back to the surface, all the while
obtaining their next batch of orders.
E. Increasing Networking and Information Accessibility
Suppose there’s a natural disaster, an average person may not
know what the protocols are for those kinds of disasters, until
they pass under a street light, that is. Remember, with Li-Fi, if
there’s light, you’re online. Subway stations and tunnels,
common dead zones for most emergency communications,
pose no obstruction. Plus, in times less stressing cities could
opt to provide cheap high-speed Web access to every street
corner.
F. Game Consoles
An innovative idea would be to put sensors on a television in
order to receive information from game consoles. This would
allow the unit to be place literally anywhere within the room
as long as there is a direct line of sight to the sensor. Could
you imagine a game system like the Xbox using a Kinect and
all of it being completely wireless except for the power going
into the unit? That will be tackled once wireless energy is
perfected for practical home use.
G. Television Interaction
Instead of using apps or additional installations, you could
theoretically hold your phone up as you sit on the couch and
have every piece of information regarding the show or movie
you are currently watching sent to your display – even
recording directly to your mobile device.
H. Other Applications
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. It can be used in
petroleum or chemical plants where other transmission or
frequencies could be hazardous.
IX. CONCLUSION
The use of light in order to transmit data may be limited in
comparison to radio waves, but, there is a great amount of
possibilities that can be developed due to this technology.
Although this technology is still in its infant stages, the
usefulness of this Li-Fi technology has implications for a great
amount of good.
REFERENCES
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thespeed-
of-light/
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Jamie Condliffe, dated 28 July 2011
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coming”, Economist, dated 28Jan 2012