Li-fi is a new means of delivering data using visible spectrum as against the radio waves used by most other methods. This new technology has already been tested in a functional office. What makes Li-fi stand apart is the astonishing speed at which can deliver access to the internet, often 100 times faster compared to Wi-fi at a mind-boggling speed of 1Gbps. You need a light source similar to an LED bulb, a photo detector and an internet connection to use Li-fi. The visible spectrum of light used by Li-fi to transmit data is 10,000 times larger compared to the radio waves employed by Wi-fi currently. As in traditional remote controls for TV, light pulses cannot encode information. As for the speed, the visible spectrum, offers virtually unlimited speed.
It was Prof Harald Haas of Edinburgh University who had demonstrated the Li-fi technology at Ted (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) conference during 2011. The professor stated that in the future several billion light bulbs could become the hotspots for wireless communication. A major advantage with Li-fi is that it will not interfere with other signals and can, therefore, be used on an aircraft or other places where signal interference is an issue. There is a short supply of spectrum needed for the radio waves, but the visible light spectrum .It is several thousand times larger and getting exhausted may not happen for centuries to come.
As with many things in life, Li-fi too has its drawbacks and topping that list is its inability to be deployed in direct sunlight outdoors since that would create an interference with its signal. Also it cannot pierce walls limiting initial uses to supplement the Wi-fi networks like in congested urban pockets.
For more information please visit: www.lifi-centre.com
