What is LiFi?

[Randy W]

Somehow, I can't see it as a substantial improvement over the old IR technology, as used in remote controls, and some wireless mouses and keyboards. I guess an advantage might be if most lighting were to be converted over to LED's, then the network might give better coverage IF each LED lamp had a built-in LiFi controller to control the light output, along with a receiver.

 

Otherwise, well, we've already found that radio frequency and Blue Tooth seem to be better ways to go because of the range and line-of-sight problems.

 

Using visible light might be a problem during the day.

 

Anyway, Xinhua is touting Chinese developments in the technology, and the Smithsonian Magazine picked up on it

 

Smithsonianmag -

What Is Li-Fi, and Will It Replace Wi-Fi?

Mobile communications professor Harald Haas has theorized about using LED bulbs to transmit data for years. Now, the technology is a reality.

 

“Li-Fi is essentially the same as Wi-Fi, except for a small difference—we use LED lights around us to transmit the data wirelessly as opposed to using radio,” Haas says.

 

 

Compared to WiFi, the advantage (aside from any speed advantages) would seem to be a smaller range leading to less crowding of the airwaves. But isn't the whole point of going to WiFi to get the larger range?

 

Li-Fi stands to be much faster than Wi-Fi. In recent experiments, researchers have been able to reach Li-Fi speeds as fast as 224 gigabits per second. At these speeds, a person could download nearly 20 full-length movies in a single second. According to Haas's research, Li-Fi can achieve data density 1,000 times greater than Wi-Fi, because Li-Fi signals are contained in a small area, as opposed to the more diffuse radio signals.

 

In addition to being faster than Wi-Fi, Li-Fi will be more secure, Haas says. While Wi-Fi signals can pass through walls (allowing your neighbors to “share” your connection), home Li-Fi signals can be kept indoors by drawing the curtains.

 

Just like with the IR remote controls, you must be within visible range of the source.

 

The Xinhua article, which the Smithsonian article links to, is at

Chinese scientists achieve Internet access through lightbulbs

 

So, at least you can say you've heard of it.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Randy W (see edit history)