What a time to be alive in! Even though, we are currently in a lock down, yet, what keeps us sane is that we can easily be in touch with our loved ones. In this time of social distancing, the digital closeness is acting as the ray of hope to the separated millions. All this works seamlessly mostly because of high speed data. Not stopping just there, a curious mind always seeks to leap towards the future, and one such leap was made in 2011 by a German scientist Mr. Harald Haas when he brought in the concept of “LiFi”.
Li-Fi or Light Fidelity is a “wireless” communication technology which uses the Visible Light Communication (VLC) system to transmit data between devices.
How does it work?
· It uses LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in order to transmit multitudes of data.
· This LED is similar to those we use at home, the main difference is where these are programmed to change their intensity or even color in order to transmit the desired data.
· These changes are detected by photo-receptors which convert it into streamable content on the background technology of binary.
· In simple words, data is fed into the light bulb with signal processing technology which in turn sends it in embedded beam to the photodiodes. These photodiodes convert it into electrical signals which are then read as simple binary data into devices.
· All this process takes place in a local decentralized setting which makes the process essentially fast.
Advantages
· According to Mr. Haas, this technology is 100 times faster than the famous WiFi or Wireless Fidelity, which uses Radio waves for data transmission as against light waves in LiFi technology. LiFi can actually transfer terabytes per second when used to its optimum potential.
· Bg-Fi system proved LiFi to be the most suited for Internet of Things wherein light emitted from the phone can be used to control other devices.
· It is a lot safer technology which will reduce the possible adverse impact on humans or animals by the radio waves
· The security standards offered by LiFi are better than those of WiFi as light waves cannot penetrate walls, hence the shorter range leads to a lower hacking potential. This is hence one of the best suited technologies for secret agencies and departments of Governments.
· Additional advantage might also include that your neighbor might not be able to pest on your data plans.
· It can be used in Nuclear facilities where interference by Radio waves of WiFi is a potential threat.
· It can lead to further digital inclusion in remote locations as hilly area or islands or even a submarine wherever there is electricity.
· It consumes lesser power, potentially cutting short your electricity bills.
· This technology is actually eco-friendly, and will help humanity reduce its carbon-footprint without jeopardizing on developmental goals.
A few challenges including high setting up costs, the need for light to be on all the time, interference with external lights do exist, but not enough to get the technology to slow down.
In today’s data-hungry age, LiFi is that light of hope, literally and metaphorically. Its exceedingly impressive speed of data transmission has millions of application shall lead us into the bright future.
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