100x Faster Alternative to WiFi is Coming
Li-Fi technology, which will revolutionize internet connection speeds, is on its way. Li-Fi, which enables data transmission through light, is expected to surpass Wi-Fi by a wide margin.
The new and revolutionary technology is set to fundamentally change internet connectivity habits. Li-Fi is defined as a technology that enables data transmission using light waves. Many leading companies are investing in adopting this technology.
Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, which transmits data over radio waves, Li-Fi does this through light, and it does so at much higher speeds. In fact, Li-Fi can theoretically transmit data 100 times faster than Wi-Fi.
The foundations of Li-Fi technology were laid in the early 21st century by German physicist Harald Haas and his team. The team discovered that light could be used for bidirectional data transmission. In 2008, the French company Oldecomm began experimenting with Li-Fi technology. Today, it is expected that this technology will become widely available between 2024 and 2029.
Li-Fi is said to offer significant advantages in terms of security. According to the LiFi Group, since this technology cannot transmit signals beyond the area illuminated by the light, unauthorized interception of signals becomes nearly impossible. On the other hand, Li-Fi’s high speeds give it a major edge in areas where low latency is critical, such as smart cities, virtual reality, 4K video streaming, and online gaming.
DISADVANTAGES OF LI-FI
Despite offering high speeds, Li-Fi does have some drawbacks. Since it relies on a light source, its coverage area can be limited. Another disadvantage is that the devices supporting this new and relatively unknown technology are still quite limited.
Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is a wireless communication technology that uses light to transmit data. Unlike Wi-Fi, which uses radio waves, Li-Fi utilizes visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet spectrums to send information at incredibly high speeds. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Li-Fi technology:
Key Features of Li-Fi:
Data Transmission Speed: Li-Fi can potentially achieve speeds up to 100 times faster than Wi-Fi. Under ideal conditions, Li-Fi speeds have reached up to 224 Gbps, whereas Wi-Fi tops out at a few Gbps.
How It Works:
A LED light bulb modulates its light at speeds imperceptible to the human eye. These light pulses are then received by a photodetector that converts them back into data.
Since it relies on light, Li-Fi requires line of sight (or at least reflections from surfaces), meaning it works best in contained environments.
Applications:
Indoor Environments: Li-Fi is ideal for places where Wi-Fi signals are weak or could interfere with sensitive equipment, such as hospitals, airplanes, or military environments.
Security: Because light cannot penetrate walls, Li-Fi offers a more secure form of data transmission compared to Wi-Fi, which can be intercepted through walls.
IoT: Li-Fi can be used to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices more efficiently and with less interference, enhancing the development of smart homes and cities.
Limitations:
Line of Sight: As Li-Fi uses light, obstacles like walls can block the signal, which limits its range and flexibility.
Ambient Light: Bright lighting conditions or natural sunlight can sometimes interfere with the signal.
Future of Li-Fi:
Researchers are continuing to develop Li-Fi to integrate it with existing communication infrastructures. It holds great promise for areas requiring fast, high-security data transfers, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and high-density environments like stadiums and airports.
Li-Fi’s potential for superfast data transmission, combined with the advantages of security and reduced interference, makes it a strong candidate to complement or even replace Wi-Fi in specific use cases.
