LI-FI THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN WIRELESS

COMMUNICATION

A
Seminar Report
submitted
in partial fulfillment
for the award of Degree of
Master of Technology
in Department of Computer Science & Engineering
(with specialization in Computer Science & Engineering)

Supervisor: Submitted By:

Dr. Mayank Patel Student Name

Associate Professor, ROLL No.: XXEGICS60X

Department of CSE

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies, Udaipur

Rajasthan Technical University

Kota (Rajasthan)

Dec -2018
 CONTENTS

S.No. Title Page No.

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 INTRODUCTION to Li-Fi

LiFi is a wireless optical networking technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for data
transmission. LiFi is designed to use LED light bulbs similar to those currently in use in many
energy-conscious homes and offices. However, LiFi bulbs are outfitted with a chip that
modulates the light imperceptibly for optical data transmission. LiFi data is transmitted by the
LED bulbs and received by photoreceptors.

LiFi's early developmental models were capable of 150 megabits-per-second (Mbps). Some
commercial kits enabling that speed have been released. In the lab, with stronger LEDs and
different technology, researchers have enabled 10 gigabits-per-second (Gbps), which is faster
than 802.11ad.

Li-Fi (also known as light fidelity) is a technology for wireless communication between devices
using light to transmit data in a high speed. In its present state only LED lamps can be used for
the transmission of visible light. The term was first introduced by Harald Haas during a 2011
TED Global talk in Edinburgh. In technical terms, Li-Fi is a visible light communications system
that is capable of transmitting data at high speeds over the visible light spectrum, ultraviolet and
infrared radiation [1].

In terms of its end use the technology is similar to Wi-Fi. The key technical difference is that Wi-
Fi uses radio frequency to transmit data. Using light to transmit data allows Li-Fi to offer several
advantages like working across higher bandwidth [citation needed], working in areas susceptible
to electromagnetic interference (e.g. aircraft cabins, hospitals) and offering higher transmission
speeds.[3] The technology is actively being developed by several organizations across the globe.
“At the heart of this technology is a new generation of high brightness light-emitting diodes”,
says Harald Haas from the University of Edinburgh, UK.” Very simply, if the LED is on, you
transmit a digital 1, if it’s off you transmit a 0,”Haas says, “They can be switched on and off very
quickly, which gives nice opportunities for transmitted data.”

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It is possible to encode data in the light by varying the rate at which the LEDs flicker on and off
to give different strings of 1s and 0s. The LED intensity is modulated so rapidly that human eye
cannot notice, so the output appears constant.

More sophisticated techniques could dramatically increase VLC data rate. Terms at the
University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh are focusing on parallel data transmission
using array of LEDs, where each LED transmits a different data stream. Other groups are using
mixtures of red, green and blue LEDs to alter the light frequency encoding a different data
channel.
Li-Fi, as it has been dubbed, has already achieved blisteringly high speed in the lab. Researchers
at the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin, Germany have reached data rates of over 500 megabytes
per second using a standard white-light LED.

Transfer data from one place to another is one of the most important day-to-day activities. The
current wireless networks that connect us to the internet are very slow when multiple devices are
connected. As the number of devices that access the internet increases, the fixed bandwidth
available makes it more and more difficult to enjoy high data rates and connect to a secure
network. Nowadays, Everyone is interested in using his mobile phone, laptop to communicate
with other people through Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, and this technology, Wi-Fi, is
widely used in all public areas like home, cafes, hotels and airports by people, also the time
usage of wireless systems is increasing exponentially every year; but the capacity is going down,
due to the limitation of Radio Frequency (RF) resources, so we are going to suffer from severe
problem. In order to overcome this problem in the future, Professor Harald Haas, an
expert in optical wireless communications, proposes in 2011 a brilliant and applicable
solution by using light to transmit data, he demonstrated how an Light-Emitting Diodes
(LED) bulb equipped with signal processing technology could stream a high-definition video to
a computer and he showed that one watt LED light bulb would be enough to provide net
connectivity to four computers. This new technology is known as Light–Fidelity (Li-Fi). It is a

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short range wireless communication system based on light illumination from LED, and use the
visible light as a signal carrier instead of traditional RF carrier as in Wi-Fi. Professor Harald
Haas coined the term "Light-Fidelity" and set up a private company, called “Pure Visible Light
Communication”, to exploit that technology. He envisions a future where data for laptops and
smart phones are transmitted through the light in a room in a secure way.

Li-Fi is transmission of data through illumination by taking the fiber out of fiber optics by
sending data through a LED light bulb that varies in intensity faster than the human eye can
follow.

Figure 1: Transmission data using LiFi

Li-Fi, as coined by Prof. Harald Haas during his TED Global talk,[1] is bidirectional, high speed
and fully networked wireless communications similar to Wi-Fi. Li-Fi is a subset of optical

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wireless communications (OWC) and can be a complement to RF communication (Wi Fi or
Cellular network), or a replacement in contexts of data broadcasting. It is wireless and uses
visible light communication or infra-red and near ultraviolet (instead of radio frequency waves)
spectrum, part of Optical wireless communications technology, which carries much more
information, and has been proposed as a solution to the RF-bandwidth limitations. A complete
solution includes an industry led standardization process. Light Fidelity is a new wireless
communication technology which enables a wireless data transmission through LED light. Light
Fidelity is based on a unique ability of solid state lighting systems to create a binary code of 1s
and 0s with a LED flickering that is invisible for human eyes. Data can be received by electronic
devices with photodiode [3] within area of light visibility. This means that everywhere where
LEDs are used, lighting bulbs can bring not only The light but wireless Connection at the same
time. With increasing demand for wireless data, lack of radio spectrum and issues with
hazardous electromagnetic pollution, Light Fidelity appears as a new greener, healthier and
cheaper alternative to WiFi. The term was first used in this context by Harald Haas in his TED
[4] Global talk on Visible Light Communication. The technology was demonstrated at the 2012
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas using a pair of Casio smart phones to exchange data
using light of varying intensity given off from their screens, detectable at a distance of up to ten
meters. In October 2011 a number of companies and industry groups formed the Light Fidelity
Consortium, to promote high-speed optical Wireless systems and to overcome the limited
amount of radio based wireless spectrum available by exploiting a completely different part of
the electromagnetic spectrum. The consortium believes it is possible to achieve more than 10
Gbps, theoretically allowing a high-definition film to be downloaded in 30 seconds. Li-Fi has the
advantage of being able to be used in sensitive areas such as in aircraft without causing
interference. However, the light waves used cannot penetrate walls [5].Later in 2012, Pure VLC,
a firm set up to commercialize Li-Fi, will bring out Li-Fi products for firms installing LED-
lighting systems. Moreover Li-Fi makes possible to have a wireless Internet in specific
environments (hospitals, Airplanes etc.) where Wi-Fi is not allowed due to interferences or
security considerations. Light Fidelity is transmission of data through illumination by taking the
fiber out of fiber optics by sending data through a LED light bulb that varies in intensity faster

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than the human eye can follow. Li-Fi is the term some have used to label the fast and cheap
wireless Communication system, which is the optical version of WiFi. The term was first used in
this context by Harald Haas in his TED Global talk on Visible Light Communication. ―At the
heart of this technology is a new generation of high brightness light-emitting diodes‖, says Harald
Haas from the University of Edinburgh, UK,‖Very simply, if the LED is on, you transmit a
digital 1, if it‘s off you transmit a 0,‖Haas says, ―They Can be switched on and off very quickly,
which gives nice opportunities for transmitted data. ―It is possible to encode data in the Light
by varying the rate at which the LEDs flicker on and off to give different strings of 1s and 0s.
The LED intensity is modulated so rapidly that human eye cannot notice, so the output appears
constant. More sophisticated techniques could dramatically increase VLC data rate. Terms at the
University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh are focusing on parallel data transmission
using array of LEDs, where each LED transmits a different data stream. Fig2: Harald haas Other
groups are using mixtures of red, green and blue LEDs to alter the light frequency encoding a
different data channel. The Li-Fi Consortium is an international platform focusing on optical
wireless Technologies. It was founded by four Technology based organizations in October 2011.
The goal of Li-Fi Consortium is to foster the Development and distribution of optical wireless
technologies such as communication, navigation, natural user interfaces and others This is
accomplished by inviting technology experts, OEMs, end users and standardization groups to
discuss needs, Challenges and ecosystem approaches [6]. Li-Fi could free up bandwidth,
especially as much of the infrastructure is Already in place. ―There are around 14 billion light
bulbs worldwide, they just need to be replaced with LED ones that transmit data," says Haas.
"We reckon VLC is a factor of ten cheaper than Wi-Fi." Because it uses light rather than radio-
frequency signals, VLC could be used safely in Aircraft, integrated into medical devices and
hospitals where Wi-Fi is banned, or even underwater, where Wi-Fi doesn't Work at all. His
technology uses a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is still not greatly utilized- The
Visible Spectrum. Light is in fact very much part of our lives for millions and millions of years
and does not have any major ill effect. Moreover there is 10,000 times more space available in
this spectrum and just counting on the bulbs in use, it also multiplies to 10,000 times more
availability as an infrastructure, globally.

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Figure 2 : LiFi Technology.

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 WORKING PROCESS OF LI FI
Light Fidelity is typically implemented using white LED light bulbs at the downlink transmitter.
These devices are normally used for illumination only by applying a constant current. However,
by fast and subtle variations of the current, the optical output can be made to vary at extremely
high speeds. This very property of optical current is used in Light Fidelity setup. The operational
procedure is 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. Hence all that is required is some LEDs and a controller that code data into
those LEDs. All one has to do is to vary the rate which the LED‘s flicker depending upon the
data we want to encode. Further at 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 one can download a full high-definition film
in just 30 seconds. To further get a grasp of Light Fidelity consider an IR remote. It sends a
single data stream of bits at the rate of 10,000-20,000 bps. Now replace the IR LED [7] with a
Light Box containing a large LED array. This system, fig 3.4, is capable of sending thousands of
such streams at very fast rate. 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 solve the problem of lack of spectrum
space, but can also enable novel application. The visible light spectrum is unused. It‘s not
regulated, and can be used for communication at very high speeds. The University of Strath
clyde in the UK has created a research center aimed at turning the constant flicker of LED lights
into a way to transmit internet communications using visible light, as opposed to radio waves
(Wi-Fi, cellular) or via cables. Dubbed, the Intelligent Lighting Centre (ILC)[8], the consortium
is made up of researchers from several UK universities, and is backed with £4.6 million (US
$7.28M) by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Together the consortium
aims to conduct research on a smaller LED than other groups around the world that are also
investigating this technology. First, a bit on what they call Li-Fi from the university release (or

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you can go catch a TED talk on the topic):Underpinning Li-Fi is the use of light-emitting diodes
(LEDs), a rapidly spreading lighting Technology which is expected to become dominant over the
next 20 years. Imperceptibly, LEDs flicker on and off thousands of times a second: by altering
the length of the flickers, it is possible to send digital information to specially-adapted PCs and
other electronic devices – making Li-Fi the digital equivalent of Morse code. This would make
the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum available for internet communications, easing
pressure on the increasingly crowded parts of the spectrum currently being used. Instead of
researching Li-Fi LEDs around 1mm2 in size, the EPSRC-funded[9] team is developing tiny,
micron-sized LEDs which are able to flicker on and off 1,000 times quicker than the larger
LEDs. This would allow them to transfer more information, giving them greater capacity; think
of comparable to the difference between DSL [10] and fiber connections.

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 ADVANTAGES OF LI-FI OVER WI-FI

 Light Fidelity uses light rather than radio frequency signals so are intolerant to

disturbances.

 VLC could be used safely in aircraft without affecting airlines signals.

 Integrated into medical devices and in hospitals as this technology doesn‘t deal with radio

waves, so it can easily be used in all such places where Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi and

internet are broadly in use.

 Under water in sea Wi-Fi does not work at all but light can be used and hence undersea

explorations are good to go now with much ease.

 There are billions of bulbs worldwide which just need to be replaced with LED‘s to

transmit data.

 Security is a side benefit of using light for data transfer as it does not penetrate through

walls.

 On highways for traffic control applications like where Cars can have LED based

headlights, LED based backlights, and they can communicate with each other and prevent

accidents. Using this Technology worldwide every street lamp would be a free data

access point.

 The issues of the shortage of radio frequency bandwidth may be sorted out by Li-Fi.

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 APPLICATIONS OF LIFI
The LI-FI system finds a variety of uses in many fields from access to internet by the general
public using street lamps to auto-pilot cars which communicate through their headlights.
Moreover, in areas such as medicine and aircrafts where WI-FI cannot be used, LI-FI is an
alternative which can provide faster data access rates. Some of the applications are discussed
below:

Education systems:
LiFi is the latest technology that can provide fastest speed internet access. So, it can replace WiFi
at educational institutions and at companies so that all the people can make use of LiFi with the
same speed intended in a particular area.

Figure 3: LiFi Used in Education

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Medical Applications:

Operation theatres (OTs) do not allow Wi-Fi due to radiation concerns. Usage of Wi-Fi at
hospitals interferes with the mobile and pc which blocks the signals for monitoring equipments.
So, it may be hazardous to the patient's health. To overcome this and to make OT tech savvy LiFi
can be used to accessing internet and to control medical equipments. This can even be beneficial
for robotic surgeries and other automated procedures.

Figure 4: LiFi Used in Medical Field

Cheaper Internet in Aircrafts:

The passengers travelling in aircrafts get access to low speed internet at a very high rate. Also
Wi-Fi is not used because it may interfere with the navigational systems of the pilots. In aircrafts
Li-Fi can be used for data transmission. Li-Fi can easily provide high speed internet via every
light source such as overhead reading bulb, etc. present inside the air plane.

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Disaster management:

Li-Fi can be used as a powerful means of communication in times of disaster such as earthquake
or hurricanes. The average people may not know the protocols during such disasters. Subway
stations and tunnels, common dead zones for most emergency communications, pose no
obstruction for Li-Fi [1].Also, for normal periods, Li-Fi bulbs could provide cheap high-speed
Web access to every street corner.

Applications in sensitive areas:

Power plants need fast, inter-connected data systems so that demand, grid integrity and core
temperature (in case of nuclear power plants) can be monitored. Wi-Fi and many other radiation
types are bad for sensitive areas surrounding the power plants. Li-Fi could offer safe, abundant
connectivity for all areas of these sensitive locations. This can save money as compared to the
currently implemented solutions. Also, the pressure on a power plant‗s own reserves could be
lessened. Li-Fi can also be used in petroleum or chemical plants where other transmission or
frequencies could be hazardous.

Traffic management:

In traffic signals Li-Fi can be used which will communicate with the LED lights of the cars
which can help in managing the traffic in a better manner and the accident number scan be
decreased. Also, LED car lights can alert drivers when other vehicles are too close.

Figure 5: LiFi Used in Traffic Management

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Underwater applications:

Underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) operate from large cables that supply their
power and allow them to receive signals from their pilots above. But the tether used in ROVs is
not long enough to allow them to explore larger areas. If their wires were 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
sending their findings periodically back to the surface. LI-FI can even work underwater where
Wi-Fi fails completely, thereby throwing open endless opportunities for military operations.

Figure 6: LiFi used in under water application

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 CONCLUSION
There are a plethora of possibilities to be gouged upon in this field of technology. If this
technology becomes justifiably marketed then every bulb can be used analogous to a Wi-Fi
hotspot to transmit data wirelessly. 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 to transmit wireless data and we will proceed toward the cleaner, greener, safer and
brighter future. The concept of Li-Fi is currently attracting a great deal of interest, not least
because it may offer a genuine and very efficient alternative to radio-based wireless. As a
growing number of people and their many devices access wireless internet, the airwaves are
becoming increasingly clogged, making it more and more difficult to get a reliable, high-speed
signal. This may solve issues such as the shortage of radio-frequency bandwidth and also allow
internet where traditional radio based wireless isn‘t allowed such as aircraft or hospitals. One of
the shortcomings however is that it only work in direct line of sight.

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 REFERENCES

[1]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Fi
[2]. Ravi Prakash, Prachi Agarwal, “The New Era of Transmission and
Communication Technology : Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) LED & TED Based Approach”,
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology
(IJARCET) Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2014.
[3]. Jitender Singh, Vikash, “A New Era in Wireless Technology using Light-
Fidelity” International Journal of Recent Development in Engineering and Technology
ISSN 2347- 6435(Online) Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2014.
[4]. R.Karthika, S.Balakrishnan, “Wireless Communication using Li-Fi Technology”,
SSRG International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering (SSRG-
IJECE) volume 2 Issue 3 March 2015.
[5]. Dinesh Khandal, Sakshi Jain, “ Li-Fi (Light Fidelity): The Future Technology in
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[7]. Ekta, Ranjeet Kaur Light, “Fidelity (LI-FI)-A Comprehensive Study”,
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[8]. http://visiblelightcomm.com/what-is-visible-light-communication-vlc/
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[11]. Raunak, Akshay Sanganal Rahul R. Sharma, "Li-Fi Technology Transmission of
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