Li-Fi

Ways to transmit information via LED fittings have already been developed, but the engineers at the University of Virginia (U.Va) have taken Li-Fi to the whole new level. An algorithm has supposedly been formulated which can establish communication between any two devices fitted with the same type of LEDs. Exercise your imagination to the fullest in wake of the endless possibilities.

Prof. Maite Brandt-Pearce and Mohammad Noshad, the latter a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, were the brains behind this technique that would enable light from LED to transmit signals to wirelessly, streaming data at approximately 300 Mbps per source. The best part is that, the usual limitations of RF Wi-Fi would be eliminated and there will be no restriction on access points. This form of Li-Fi communication could also be freely exercised in areas where RF waves are prohibited, both for health and safety concerns such as near medical equipment and EM sensitive environment.

“We developed a modulation algorithm that increases the throughput of data in [visible light communications],” says Brandt-Pearce. “We can transmit more data without using any additional energy. As more light fixtures get replaced with LED lights, you can have different access points to the same network.”

“The idea in this technology is to transmit the data using the lighting systems that are already used for the illumination of indoor environments. [Visible light communications] offer a compact, dual-use, energy-saving solution and can provide a high-speed secure network connection for a large number of users,” says Noshad.

“You can use it any place that has lighting,” adds Professor Brandt-Pearce. “In a stadium, in a parking lot, or from vehicle to vehicle if using LED headlights and taillights.” This is the point of difference of the U.Va system.

Even though this form of communication transmission is not the fastest out there. SiSoft Li-Fi is undeniably much quicker. But the benefits and advantages associated with such portability and cheapness weighs out this drawback.

“[Visible light communications] has the potential to significantly increase the speed of internet connection in multiuser indoor environments due to the broad bandwidth of the visible light,” says Noshad. “It will offer a huge energy saving for the nation since energy is already used for lighting, and thus does not need to be expended for communications.”

Several patents have already been granted and researchers are working on a Li-Fi fitted lamp to demonstrate, while exploring ways to expand the current user base.

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Author:Technology Blog