4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)

College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
[2015]

Li-Fi(Light Fidelity) Technology

Sonali Bhattacharya1, Manish Joshi2,
1
MCA Lateral,
1
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology, Teerthanker Mahaveer University
Moradabad
sonalibhatt1995@gmail.com

gothroughmanish@gmail.com
Solve the problem of lack of spectrum space,
Abstract— whether we are using wireless internet in a but can also enable novel application. The
coffee shop, stealing it from the guy next door, or
competing for bandwidth at a conference, you’ve probably visible light spectrum is unused; it's not
gotten frustrated at the slow speeds you face when more regulated, and can be used for
than one device is tapped into the network. As more and communication at very high speeds.
more people and their many devices access wireless
internet, clogged airwaves are going to make it. One
German physicist ,DR. Harald Haas, has come up with a
solution he calls ―Data Through Illuminationǁ—taking
the fibre out of fibre optics by sending data through an
LED light bulb that varies in intensity faster than the
human eye can follow. It’s the same idea behind infrared
remote controls, but far more powerful. Haas says his
invention, which he calls D-Light, can produce data rates
faster than 10 megabits per second, which is speedier than
your average broadband connection. He envisions a future
where data for laptops, Smartphone’s, and tablets is
transmitted through the light in a room
Keywords— LED (light emitting diode), VLC (visible light
communication)
I. INTRODUCTION II. WORKING TECHNOLOGY

1) Li-Fi Is A Technology That Uses The Light How It Works:

Emitting Diodes To Transmit The Data
Wirelessly.
2) HARALD HAAS, who is considered to be
the father of Li-Fi from University of
Edinburgh.
3) Li-Fi Is Fast And Cheap Optical Version Of
Wi-Fi , Based On Visible Light
Communication(VLC);
4) VlC Is A Data Communication Medium,
Which Uses The Visible Light Between 400
Thz (780 Nm) And 800 Thz (375 Nm) As
Optical Carrier For Data Transmission.
5) Light is inherently safe and can be used in
places where radio frequency communication
is often deemed problematic, such as in
aircraft cabins or hospitals. So visible light
communication not only has the potential to
This brilliant idea was first showcased by Harald
Haas from University of Edinburgh, UK, in his
TED Global talk on VLC. He explained,” Very
simple, if the LED is on, you transmit a digital 1, if
it’s off you transmit a 0. The LEDs can be switched
on and off very quickly, which gives nice
opportunities for transmitting data. So what you
require at all are some LEDs and a controller that
code data into those LEDs. We have to just vary the
rate at which the LED’s flicker depending upon the
data we want to encode. Further enhancements can
be made in this method, like using an array of LEDs
for parallel data transmission, or using mixtures of
red, green and blue LEDs to alter the light’s
frequency with each frequency encoding a different
data channel. Such advancements promise a
theoretical speed of 10 Gbps – meaning you can
download a full high-definition film in just 30

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 4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
seconds. Simply awesome! But blazingly fast data
rates and depleting bandwidths worldwide are not
the only reasons that give this technology an upper
hand. Since Li-Fi uses just the light, it can be used
safely in aircrafts and hospitals that are prone to
interference from radio waves. This can even work
underwater where Wi-Fi fails completely, thereby
throwing open endless opportunities for military
operations.
Imagine only needing to hover under a
street lamp to get public internet access, or
downloading a movie from the lamp on your desk.
There's a new technology on the block which could,
quite literally as well as metaphorically, 'throw light
on' how to meet the ever-increasing demand for
high-speed wireless connectivity. Radio waves are
replaced by light waves in a new method of data
transmission which is being called Li-Fi. Light-
emitting diodes can be switched on and off faster
than the human eye can detect, causing the light
source to appear to be on continuously. A flickering
light can be incredibly annoying, but has turned out
to have its upside, being precisely what makes it
possible to use light for wireless data transmission.
Light-emitting diodes (commonly referred to as
LEDs and found in traffic and street lights, car
brake lights, remote control units and countless
other applications) can be switched on and off
faster than the human eye can detect, causing the
light source to appear to be on continuously, even
though it is in fact 'flickering'. This invisible on-off
activity enables a kind of data transmission using
binary codes: switching on an LED is a logical '1',
switching it off is a logical '0'. Information can
therefore be encoded in the light by varying the rate
at which the LEDs flicker on and off to give
different strings of 1s and 0s. This method of using
rapid pulses of light to transmit information
wirelessly is technically referred to as Visible Light
Communication (VLC), though it’s potential to
compete with conventional Wi-Fi has inspired the
popular characterization Li-Fi.
[2015]
A. Visible light communication (VLC)-“A potential solution
to the global wireless spectrum shortage”
Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is a fast and cheap optical
version of Wi-Fi, the technology of which is based
on Visible Light Communication (VLC).VLC is a
data communication medium, which uses visible
light between 400 THz (780 nm) and 800 THz (375
nm) as optical carrier for data transmission and
illumination. It 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? 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. To be
clearer, by modulating the LED light with the data
signal, the LED illumination can be used as a
communication source. As the flickering rate is so
Fast, the LED output appears constant to the human
eye. A data rate of greater than 100 Mbps is
possible by using high speed LEDs with appropriate
multiplexing techniques. VLC data rate can be
increased by parallel data transmission using
LED arrays where each LED transmit a different
data stream. There are reasons to prefer LED as the
light source in VLC while a lot of other
illumination devices like fluorescent lamp,
incandescent bulb etc. are available.
B.COMPARISION BETWEEN Li-Fi & Wi-Fi:
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 4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
[2015]

LI-FI is a term of one used to describe visible light

Communication technology applied to high speed
wireless communication. It acquired this name due
to the similarity to WI-FI, only using light instead
of radio. WI-FI is great for general wireless
coverage within buildings, and Li-Fi is ideal
For high density wireless data coverage in confined
area and for relieving radio interference issues, so
the two technologies can be considered
complimentary.
Speed Data
density
Wireless(current)
Wi-Fi-IEEE 150Mbps *
802.11N
Bluetooth 3Mnps *
IrDA 4Mbps *** III How it is different?
Wireless(future)
Li-Fi technology is based on LEDs for the transfer
WiGig 2Gbps **
of data the transfer of the data can be with the help
Giga-IR 1Gbps ***
of all kinds of light, no matter the part of the
Li-Fi >1Gbps ****
Table 1.Comparison between current and future wireless
spectrum that they belong. That is, the light can
Technology belong to the invisible, ultraviolet or the visible part
The table also contains the current wireless of the spectrum. Also, the speed of the internet is
technologies that can be used for transferring data incredibly high and you can download movies,
between devices today, i.e. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and games, music etc in just a few minutes with the help
IrDA. Only Wi-Fi currently offers very high data of this technology. Also, the technology removes
rates. The IEEE 802.11.n in most implementations limitations that have been put on the user by the
provides up to 150Mbit/s (in theory the standard Wi-Fi. You no more need to be in a region that is
can go to 600Mbit/s) although in practice you Wi-Fi enabled to have access to the internet. You
receive considerably less than this. Note that one can simply stand under any form of light and surf
out of three of these are an optical technology. the internet as the connection is made in case of any
light presence. There cannot be anything better than
this technology.
IV. APPLICATION AREAS:
 Li Fi technology is still in its
infancy .However some areas where it
seems perfectly applicable are:-
POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF LI-FI
(A) Traffic Lights:
Traffic lights can communicate to the car
and with each other. Cars have LED-based
headlights, LED-based cack lights, and cars
can communicate with each other and
prevent accidents in by exchanging
information

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 4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
[2015]

(D) Airlines :

Whenever we travel through airways we face the

problem in communication media, because the whole
airways communications are performed on the basis of
radio waves. To overcome this drawback on radio waves,
Li-Fi is introduced.

.
(B) Intrinsically Safe Environment:
Visible Light is safer than RF, hence it can be
used in places where RF can't be used such as
petrochemical plants

4. On Ocean Beds :

Li-Fi can even wok underwater were Wi-Fi fails completely, thereby t
endless opportunities for military/navigation operations.
(C) Hospitals:

LED is most preferably used in hospitals (In Few

Medical Equipements)

V. 'LI-FI’ VIA LED LIGHT BULB DATA SPEED BREAK

UK researchers say they have achieved data

transmission speeds of 10Gbit/s via "li-fi" -
wireless internet connectivity using light.

The researchers used a micro-LED light bulb to

transmit 3.5Gbit/s via each of the three primary
colours - red, green, blue - that make up white light.

This means over 10Gbit/s is possible. Li-fi is an

emerging technology that could see specialised
LED lights bulbs providing low-cost wireless
internet connectivity almost everywhere.

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 4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
[2015]

Earlier this year, Germany's Fraunhofer Heinrich

Hertz Institute claimed that data rates of up to
1Gbit/s per LED light frequency were possible in
laboratory conditions. And this month, Chinese
scientists reportedly developed a microchipped
LED bulb that can produce data speeds of up to 150
megabits per second (Mbps), with one bulb
providing internet connectivity for four computers.
VI.. 'Light fidelity'

Prof Harald Haas has been in the forefront of

"Li-Fi" research for the last 10 years
In 2011, Prof Haas demonstrated how an LED
Micro-LEDs can transmit large amounts of digital data in bulb equipped with signal processing technology
parallel could stream a high-definition video to a computer.

He coined the term "light fidelity" or Li-Fi - also

(A) High speed known as visual light communications (VLC) - and
The research, known as the ultra-parallel visible set up a private company, Pure VLC, to exploit the
light communications project, is a joint venture technology.
between the universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews,
Strathclyde, Oxford, and Cambridge, and funded by Li-Fi promises to be cheaper and more energy-
the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research efficient than existing wireless radio systems given
Council. the ubiquity of LED bulbs and the fact that lighting
infrastructure is already in place.
The tiny micro-LED bulbs, developed by the
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, allow streams Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum
of light to be beamed in parallel, each multiplying and its bandwidth is 10,000 times bigger than the
the amount of data that can be transmitted at any radio frequency spectrum used by existing
one time. communication systems, affording vastly greater
capacity. Another advantage, Prof Haas argues, is
"If you think of a shower head separating water out that evenly spaced LED transmitters could provide
into parallel streams, that's how we can make light much more localised and consistent internet
behave," said Prof Harald Haas, an expert in optical connectivity throughout buildings.
wireless communications at the University of
Edinburgh and one of the project leaders.

Using a digital modulation technique called

Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplexing
(OFDM), researchers enabled micro-LED light
bulbs to handle millions of changes in light
intensity per second, effectively behaving like an
extremely fast on/off switch.

This allows large chunks of binary data - a series of

ones and zeros - to be transmitted at high speed.

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 4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
[2015]

Edinburgh, demonstrated how an LED bulb

The disadvantage of traditional Wi-Fi routers is that equipped with signal processing technology could
the signal weakens the further you are away from it, stream a high-definition video to a computer. He
leading to inconsistent connectivity within offices coined the term "light fidelity" or Li-Fi and set up a
and homes. private company, Pure VLC, to exploit the
technology.
Prof Haas also believes light's inability to penetrate
walls makes VLC technology potentially more "We're just as surprised as everyone else by this
secure than traditional Wi-Fi connectivity. announcement," Pure VLC spokesman Nikola
Serafimovski told the BBC.
(A) LED light bulb 'Li-Fi' closer, say Chinese scientists
"But how valid this is we don't know without seeing
If "'Li-Fi' " technology takes off, all LED lights
more evidence. We remain sceptical."
could potentially provide internet connectivity. Wi-
Fi connectivity from a light bulb - or "'Li-Fi' " - This year, the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute
has come a step closer, according to Chinese claimed that data rates of up to 1Gbit/s per LED
scientists. light frequency were possible in laboratory
A micro chipped bulb can produce data speeds of conditions, making one bulb with three colors
up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps), Chi Nan, IT potentially capable of transmitting data at up to
professor at Shanghai's Fudan University 3Gbit/s.
told Xinhua News.

A one-watt LED light bulb would be enough to

provide net connectivity to four computers,
researchers say. But experts told the BBC more
evidence was needed to back up the claims. There
are no supporting video or photos showing the
technology in action.
Li-Fi, also known as visible light communications
(VLC), at these speeds would be faster - and
cheaper - than the average Chinese broadband
connection.
Edinburgh University's Prof Harald Haas coined the
term "Li-Fi"
(B) Unlimited capacity
Li-Fi promises to be cheaper and more energy-
efficient than existing wireless radio systems given
the ubiquity of LED bulbs and the fact that lighting
infrastructure is already in place.

In 2011, Prof Harald Haas, an expert in optical Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum
wireless communications at the University of and 10,000 times bigger than the radio spectrum,

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 4th International Conference on System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART)
College of Computing Sciences and Information Technology (CCSIT) ,Teerthanker Mahaveer University , Moradabad
affording potentially unlimited capacity. But there
are drawbacks: block the light and you block the
signal. However, this is also a potential advantage
from a security point of view. Light cannot
penetrate walls as radio signals can, so drive-by
hacking of wireless internet signals would be far
more difficult, if not impossible.
Prof Chi's research team includes scientists from the
Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics at the 
Chinese Academy of Sciences, the report says. She
admitted that the technology was still in its infancy 
and needed further developments in microchip
design and optical communication controls before it
could go mass market.  We will proceed toward the cleaner, greener,
Her team is hoping to show off sample li-fi kits at 
the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai on
5 November, the report said.  Allows internet where traditional radio based
VII. LI-FI VS WIFI
 Wi-Fi has a data transfer rate of maximum
54Mbps [1]
[2]
 Wi-Fi Uses The Radio wave Portion Of The
EM [3]
 Li-Fi has a High speed data transfer rate [4]
over 1Gbps.{1024 Mbps} [5]
[6]
 Li-Fi Uses The Visible Light Portion Of The [7]
EM.
[8]
[9]
[10]
[2015]
VIII. CONCLUSIONS
The possibilities are numerous and can be
explored further.
If this technology can be put into practical use,
every bulb can be used something like a Wi-Fi
hotspot.
safer and brighter future.
This may solve issues such as the shortage of
radio-frequency bandwidth.
wireless isn’t allowed such as aircraft or
hospitals.
REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Fi
http://www.scribd.com/doc/88377913/Synopsis-on-Lifi-The-
latesttechnology-in-wireless-communication.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/88340668/Seminar-Report-on-
LIFiTECHNOLOGY
seminarprojects.com/s/seminar-report-on-lifi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Fi
http://teleinfobd.blogspot.in/2012/01/what-is-lifi.html
technopits.blogspot.comtechnology.cgap.org/2012/01/11/a-lifi-
world/www.lificonsortium.org/the-gadgeteer.com/2011/08/29/li-
fi-internet-at-thespeed-of-light/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Fi
www.macmillandictionary.com/buzzword/entries/Li- Fi.html
dvice.com/archives/2012/08/lifi-ten-ways-i.php
http://www.digplanet.com/wiki/Li-Fi
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