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LI-FI: A NEW GENERATION WI-FI


As the technology advances with the help of IoT it also creates a new path for more technologies to be developed. Wi-Fi which is the vast use wireless communication technology it also gets updated with time. Basically a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) uses a Radio Frequency spectrum for communication. In simple terms Radio Frequency (RF) act as a medium for communication. So, as it was invented it also helps to connect the devices wirelessly which is its main purpose. A Wi-Fi device is basically a router which act as an Access Point for the devices with internet support. So Wi-Fi was useful but it also comes with its cons. There are various pros of Wi-Fi which we know but there are cons which we don’t know properly. Some of its cos are:

Ø Security concern.
Ø Network congestion.
Ø Cannot be used widely in denser regions.
So Li-Fi didn’t emerges as a new technology but as an improvement and an alternative to Wi-Fi. Li-FI i.e. Light Fidelity works like a Wi-Fi but instead of RF it uses Light Spectrum as a medium for communication.


To get know more about Li-Fi first let’s compare between the Wi-Fi and Li-Fi

Features
Li-Fi
Wi-Fi
Data Transfer Rate
Approx. 1Gbps
Ranges up to 32 Mbps
Security
As light waves cannot pass through wall it is more secure
Security measures is to be taken to make it a more secure communication
Operation
Uses light waves from LED
Uses RF from Wi-Fi router
Advantages
Interference is less, can work in dense region
Interference occurs due to near allotted Access point, cannot be used in denser regions
Range
Approx. 10meters
Approx. 32 metres
What is the operation of Li-Fi?

Basically, Li-Fi i.e. Light Fidelity instead of RF uses light waves for data communication. While in RF the data transmission (internet data transfer) is in the form of packets but in Li-Fi it travels digitally that is the binary coded signals (1s & 0s). This in turn helps for faster data transmission. So, Philips has come up with its light equipment which is the LED light equipped with the modem for the purpose of Li-Fi .To connect any system with the internet it is important to connect the upload and download data communication. In the case of Li-Fi this is done by the USB dongle which is connected to the pc/laptop. This dongle while in download communication receives light signal from the luminaire and transfers it to the device connected to it and in upload data transfer this dongle sends the infrared light to the luminaire which is connected with the modem for the internet purpose.



Is the light wave used are different?

Yes, the light waves used are in the range of 380nm-780nm. In Li-Fi the light waves which are used cannot be seen by a human eye as it travels with speed of light.

Benefits of Li-Fi are:

Ø Li-Fi can be used where Wi-Fi is not permitted to use.
Ø Li-Fi is way more secure than Wi-Fi as the signals and the range will be limited to the luminaire emitting the light.
Ø  As the light cannot pass through the opaque wall it will be beneficial to secure the use of Li-Fi and giving more privacy to the user.
In the end, Li-Fi with Wi-Fi can be used to improve the network congestion currently faced as the number of users are increasing minute by minutes.


Editor: Akash Mistry