There is a bright light: LED Li-Fi will replace Wi-Fi?

Li-Fi and the Wi-Fi we know little difference in the result, the former is the information communication system of radio waves, and the latter to the same effect by visible light. Because LED is a special electronic components, you can switch LED one billion times per second to produce a kind of "optical Morse code", in order to transmit information.

Baer invented the telephone to change the public life, so that communication becomes simple. But few people know that Baer is more optimistic about another type of communication tool - photophone, it is a kind of wireless communication equipment through the light of the call. Allegedly, Baer himself more optimistic about the phone, but limited to the era, the end of his life this project is only in the experimental stage. But more than 130 years later, Professor Harald Haas also began to open communication technology, and coincidentally, he is also working in Scotland, University of Edinburgh.

Light is a network of Li-Fi

If you know TED, then it is likely to be no stranger to Professor Haas, who in 2011 in the TED stage with a LED bulb shows wireless communication technology. Since the speech, the word "Li-Fi" which is now widely used to spread like wildfire, two-way wireless network communication technology that using visible light. Li-Fi and the Wi-Fi we know little difference in the result, the former is the information communication system of radio waves, and the latter to the same effect by visible light. Because LED is a special electronic components, you can switch LED one billion times per second to produce a kind of "optical Morse code", in order to transmit information.

This of course is not a new concept, but Haas can make ordinary LED lamp network connection. With Li-Fi, as long as the user within the scope of the LED lights can even connect to the Internet, and even headlights to send data.

Haas began the study of visible light communication (VLC) as early as 2008, and in 2012 set up PureLiFi (formerly known as PureVLC) company. Although most of their research is still in the prototype stage, it can not be placed directly above the Amazon, but there have been a number of available products, the first product called Li-1st. The uplink and download rate of the product can reach 5MBPs, the spread of the range of about 3 meters. However, the experiment shows that the rate of Li-Fi can reach 10Gbps.

Compared to Wi-Fi, Li-Fi is more safe, because the latter can signal through the wall, and can separate the uplink and downlink communication channel, which means that the intruder wants with you in the same room, but also on the crack under two channels.

Will Li-Fi replace Wi-Fi?

If Li-Fi has so many advantages, will it replace Wi-Fi? At the moment, it seems unlikely in the short term. Although it is not to say that the light will be covered by the hand, the Li-Fi signal will be interrupted, because the light will turn. But the opacity of the solid will affect the Li-Fi network, it is only as a supplementary means. In contrast, Li-Fi is more suitable for aircraft, trains, submarines and cars and other closed environment.

In addition, the replacement of old and new equipment also takes time. Although Li-Fi is relatively safe, but can not convince everyone to use the new device immediately, especially when the traditional Wi-Fi can still meet the needs of the internet. For some businesses, abandoned the purchase of large sums of money to buy equipment is obviously not realistic. And this is the reason Haas consider using LED light as a carrier. On the one hand, the transmission rate of LED is faster than that of the traditional incandescent lamp; on the other hand, the use of LED is very wide, and it is more acceptable.

Market and Prospect of Li-Fi

It is estimated that by 2018 the Li-Fi market will reach $6 billion. Moreover, in addition to the network, such as indoor applications, researchers will also be used for more accurate positioning Li-Fi services, as now popular iBeacon technology as.

Each lamp can have a special code, equivalent to the IP address; in the mobile phone after the implantation of the relevant photoreceptor, you can identify the code lights. This technique can be used to partition the space. If you live in railway stations, airports, museums and other places more complex space, this technology can help users locate. In museums or shops, as long as the user close to the relevant exhibits or goods, you can receive the appropriate interpretation of information, but also push the corresponding discount information and advertising.

Haas has also revealed that they are working with a large aircraft manufacturer, which means that in the future can enjoy Li-Fi on the plane. The plane seats are reading light, so we can imagine such a scene: airline stewardess to inform you the plane is going to take off, please turn off the mobile phone, but you only need to turn on the reading light, you can use iPad and laptops and other equipment to the internet.

But the entertainment function is not the primary factor considered by aircraft manufacturers, they are more concerned about the cost. Li-Fi eliminates the trouble of wiring, so that airlines can adjust the seat at any time on demand; and the transmission line cable will increase a lot of weight, and the use of LED lights do not have to consider so much.

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