12 Misconceptions of Li-Fi

"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little; it's that they know so many things that just aren't so."

Welcome to the official blog of Li-Fi Tech News.

Today's article will be about the common misconceptions of Li-Fi technology that you may or may not have heard. But first, what is Li-Fi?

Li-Fi, also known as "Light Fidelity" is a wireless optical networking technology, which uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit data. In 2011, professor Harald Haas made a Li-Fi demonstration at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference.

LiFi is a high speed, bidirectional, and fully networked wireless communication of data using light. Li-Fi is made of several light bulbs that form a wireless network. In simple words, Li-Fi is the internet through Light. Watch the video below to see how Li-Fi works.

Here is a list of 12 Misconceptions of Li-Fi technology.

1- It interferes with radio frequency

Radio Frequency Technology like Wi-Fi can be disturbed by a variety of devices such as smartphones, cordless phones, microwaves and other Wi-Fi networks. Li-Fi uses the visible light spectrum, which operates at a higher frequency than the Radio Waves spectrum and hence does not interfere with Wi-Fi. Because of this, Li-Fi can be used in hospitals, air planes and power plants without the fear of interference from radio frequency devices.

2 – It is less secure than Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

In contrast to Wi-Fi, light does not go through walls and can easily be contained in a physical space. This gives the opportunity of creating secure ad-hoc networks in meeting rooms which can allow participants to share data without the risk of data leaking out. Some designated rooms can be used as high-security areas with their own Li-Fi networks, isolating them from other areas of the building where there might be connection of vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

PureLiFi is currently developing the security components and technologies that will help security specialists and consultants deliver more secure wireless communications.

3 – It will never be made affordable to the average consumer

Again, this is another misconception. Although, the Li Fi products can be very expensive ranging from £2500 to £5000, in terms of cost, a number of companies are working towards the miniaturisation of Li-Fi products to make it affordable for everyone and not just businesses.

4 – Just like Wi-Fi, Li-Fi will function in our pockets

Well, unless your clothes allow light to pass through them, Li-Fi will not work if a Li-Fi enabled device is in your pocket. The Li-Fi receiver on the device must be exposed to a Li-Fi ready LED light.

5 – Li-Fi is truly a disruptive technology

Hold on, let us first look up the definition of disruptive technology”. A disruptive technology is defined as a technology displacing an established technology shaking up an entire industry or ground-breaking product that creates a completely new industry. Examples of disruptive technologies are Peer-to-Peer ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft. Netflix, a subscription based streaming service, can also be considered a disruptive technology. Li-Fi will work in conjunction with existing Wi-Fi networks to provide faster and more secure internet and data transmissions. So, Li-Fi should not be considered a disruptive technology just yet.

6 – Li-Fi won’t work in the dark

It is true that any Li-Fi receiver would need switched on LED lights to receive data transmission. This means Li-Fi technology cannot be used in dark rooms. However, a possible solution to solve this problem is to dim LEDs low enough so that our eyes can’t see them.

A team of researchers, from Dartmouth College in the United States, are currently working on a project to encode data into ultra-short and imperceptible light impulses. The project is called “DarkLight”.

Check the video below:

You can also read an abstract from their paper here.

7 – There is currently only one company that is commercialising Li-Fi

It is true that pureLiFi was the first company that coined the term Li-Fi, where Professor Harald Haas performed a demonstration at the Global TED talk conference in July 2011. This resulted in the formation of a number of new Li-Fi companies that are currently working towards the commercialisation of Li-Fi technology.

Oledcomm is a spin off from the University of Versailles based on research on Visible light communication that begun in 2005.

VLNComm is a leading company in Visible Light Communication (VLC) or so called Li-Fi Technology, which is an alternative data communication technique for wireless applications that uses optical energy to provide illumination and data transmission at the same time.

8- Li-Fi cannot work under sunlight

This is not the case. It is generally assumed by many people that Li-Fi cannot work under sunlight conditions. The use of optical filters will enable Li-Fi to work outdoors without interference from any natural or artificial sources. These filters reduce receiver saturation. Analogue and digital filtering can also be used to minimise the level of interference. PureLiFi stated that Li-Fi relies on detecting the fast changes in light intensity and not on the absolute or slowly varying levels caused by natural disruptions in daylight or sunlight. Li-Fi Technology modulates the light at very high rates whilst the sunlight acts as a constant light source which can be filtered out at the receiver.

9 – The LED lights used to transmit data, have a very short lifespan

In contrast to incandescent light bulbs, LED light bulbs have a general lifespan of around 50,000 hours. In other words, if used for 12 hours a day, the LED light bulb will last at least 11 years. If used for 8 hours a day, the LED light bulb can last for 17 years. As we can see, LED lights can have a very long lifespan.

10 – You can’t use Li-Fi in remote areas or in villages where living conditions are extremely poor and limited

Well, that is not the case. In April 2017 in a village located near Liberia, a company called Li-Fi Led Côte d’Ivoire installed solar panels to provide permanent lighting to its residents. They also provided LED installation to the entire village. Through these LED light bulbs, the residents have access to the internet and television without any wire or Wi-Fi connection thanks to Li-Fi Technology. Li-Fi can operate in remote areas with the right equipment. Watch the video below:

You can also read the article about this story here

11 – Li-Fi is not a bi-directional technology

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, bi-directional means involving, moving or taking place in two opposite directions. Generally, a Li-Fi system is made of Trans-receivers where one receiver is at the SOURCE and the other one is at the DESTINATION. When the light flickers, the Trans-receiver senses the changes at the Destination point through a photo diode which decrypts the data.

PureLiFi defines Li-Fi as a bi-directional wireless communications technology that allows high speed transmissions in both uplink and downlink simultaneously.

12 - Li-Fi is strictly a line of sight technology

Line of sight can be defined as electromagnetic radiation or acoustic wave propagation travelling in a direct path from a source to a receiver. In simpler terms, it is electro-magnetic waves travelling in a straight line. Because light can bounce off of a surface, Li-Fi cannot be fully considered a line of sight technology. With a direct line of sight, a very fast rate of communication can be achieved but when light bounces off of a wall and other objects, the rate of communication will be lowered. PureLiFi states that "Li-Fi is a cellular communication system and the data rate is not dependent on the line of sight but on the signal quality at the device. Signal quality can be defined by the ratio of the desired data vs any interfering data and noise."

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