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ABSTRACT :
Li-Fi is a new wireless technology to provide the connectivity with in localized
network environment. The main principle of this technology is we can transmit the
data using light illumination by using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) where radio
frequency is media in Wi-Fi and LED bulb light intensity is faster than human eye can
follow.
Li-Fi is a VLC, visible light communication, technology developed by a team of
scientists including Dr. Gordon Povey, Prof. Harald Haas and Dr. Mostafa Afgani at
the University of Edinburgh. The term Li-Fi was coined by Prof. Haas when he
amazed people by streaming high-definition video from a standard LED lamp, at TED
Global in July 2011. [1]
Li-Fi is now part of the Visible Light Communications PAN IEEE 802.15.7 standard.
"Li-Fi is typically implemented using white LED light bulbs. These devices are
normally used for illumination by applying a constant current through the LED.
However, by fast and subtle variations of the current, the optical output can be made to
vary at extremely high speeds. Unseen by the human eye, this variation is used to carry
high-speed data," says Dr. Povey, Product Manager of the University of Edinburgh's
Li-Fi Program 'D-Light Project'.[4][5]
Prof. Harold Hass set up a private company, Pure VLC, to exploit the technology. He
envisions a future where data for laptops, smart phones, and tablets is transmitted
through the light in a room. And security would be snap if you cant see the light,
you cant access the data.

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INDEX
Sr. No.

Contents

Page No.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Introduction
Genesis
How is Li-Fi different ?
Comparison between Li-Fi and Wi-Fi
Why only Li-Fi ?
Development of Li-Fi Technology
How Li-Fi light sources work ?
Applications of Li-Fi (Light Fidelity)

3
4
5
6
8
10
14

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Technology
Advantages of Li-Fi
Disadvantages of Li-Fi
Conclusion
References

15
20
20
21
22

LIST OF FIGURES

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Fig. No.

Figure Name

Page No.

1.

Prof. Harald Haas at TED Global.

2.

Working of Li -Fi setup

3.

Li-Fi emplaced room

4.

Speed comparison between Wi-Fi and Li-Fi

5.
6.

Electromagnetic Spectrum
Commercial product by PureVLC

10
12

7.

Micro-LEDs can transmit large amounts of

digital data in parallel

13

8.
9.

Li-Fi enabled room

Li-Fi in Operation Theater

14
16

10.

Li-Fi in Aeroplane

17

11.

Li-Fi can be set up in critical areas like

power plants

18

12.
13.

Under water use of Li-Fi

Street lights as Li-Fi hubs

19
19

14.

LEDs of automobiles providing Li-Fi

20

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1.] INTRODUCTION :
Li-Fi is transmission of data through illumination by fiber optics through a LED light
bulb that varies in intensity faster than the human eye can follow. Li-Fi is the term
some have used to label the fast and cheap wireless communication system, which is
the optical version of Wi-Fi. This technology uses a part of the electromagnetic
spectrum that is still not greatly utilized- The Visible Spectrum. Light is in fact very
much part of our lives for millions and millions of years and does not have any major
ill effect.
"At the heart of this technology is a new generation of high brightness light-emitting
diodes", says Prof. Harald Haas. "Very simply, if the LED is on, you transmit a digital
1; if its off you transmit a 0. They can be switched on and off very quickly, which
gives nice opportunities for transmitted data." [4] It is possible to encode data in the
light by varying the rate at which the LEDs flicker on and off to give different strings
of 1s and 0s. The LED intensity is modulated so rapidly that human eye cannot notice,
so the output appears constant. Terms at the University of Oxford and the University
of Edinburgh are focusing on parallel data transmission using array of LEDs, where
each LED transmits a different data stream. Other group are using mixtures of red,
green and blue LEDs to alter the light frequency encoding a different data channel. LiFi, as it has been dubbed, has already achieved blisteringly high speed in the lab.
Researchers at the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin, Germany, have reached data rates
of over 500 megabytes per second using a standard white-light LED. The technology
was demonstrated at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas using a pair of
Casio smart phones to exchange data using light of varying intensity given off from
their screens, detectable at a distance of up to ten metres.
Light is inherently safe and can be used in places where radio frequency
communication is often deemed problematic, such as in aircraft cabins or hospitals. So
visible light communication not only has the potential to solve the problem of lack of
spectrum space, but can also enable novel application. The visible light spectrum is
unused; it's not regulated, and can be used for communication at very high speeds.

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2.] GENESIS :
This brilliant idea was first showcased by Prof. Harald Haas from University of
Edinburgh, UK, who began his research in the field in 2004, of what he called a Li-Fi
prototype at the TED Global conference in Edinburgh on 12th July 2011. He used a
table lamp with an LED bulb to transmit a video of blooming flowers that was then
projected onto a screen behind him. During the event he periodically blocked the light
from lamp to prove that the lamp was indeed the source of incoming data.

Figure 1 : Prof. Harald Haas at TED Global. [4]

At TED Global, Haas demonstrated a data rate of transmission of around 10Mbps.
Two months later he achieved 123Mbps. He explained, "Very simple, if the LED is on,
you transmit a digital 1, if it's off you transmit a 0. The LEDs can be switched on and
off very quickly, which gives nice opportunities for transmitting data." Further
enhancements can be made in this method, like using an array of LEDs for parallel
data transmission, or using mixtures of red, green and blue LEDs to alter the light's
frequency with each frequency encoding a different data channel. Such advancements
promise a theoretical speed of 10 Gbps meaning you can download a full high
definition film in just 30 seconds. Radio waves are replaced by light waves in a new
method of data transmission which is being called Li-Fi. [4]

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3.] HOW IS Li-Fi DIFFERENT ?

Li-Fi technology is based on LEDs for the transfer of data. The transfer of the data can
be with the help of all kinds of light, no matter the part of the spectrum that they
belong. That is, the light can belong to the invisible, ultraviolet or the visible part of
the spectrum. As, the speed of the internet is incredibly high and you can download
movies, games, music etc in just a few minutes with the help of this technology.
Also, the technology removes limitations that have been put on the user by the Wi-Fi.
You no more need to be in a region that is Wi-Fi enabled to have access to the internet.
You can simply stand under any form of light and surf the internet as the connection is
made in case of any light presence. There cannot be anything better than this
technology.

Figure 2 : Working of Li -Fi setup [10].

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To further get a grasp of Li-Fi consider an IR remote. It sends a single data stream of
bits at the rate of 10,000-20,000 bps. Now replace the IR LED with a Light Box
containing a large LED array. This system is capable of sending thousands of such
streams at very fast rate.

Figure 3 : Li-Fi emplaced room.

Light is inherently safe and can be used in places where radio frequency
communication is often deemed problematic, such as in aircraft cabins or hospitals. So
visible light communication not only has the potential to solve the problem of lack of
spectrum space, but can also enable novel application. The visible light spectrum is
unused, it's not regulated, and can be used for communication at very high speeds.

4.] COMPARISION BETWEEN Li-Fi and Wi-Fi :

Li-Fi is a term used to describe VLC technology applied to high speed wireless
communication. It acquired this name due to the similarity to Wi-Fi, only using light
instead of radio Wi-Fi is great for general wireless coverage within buildings, and LiFi
is ideal for high density wireless data coverage in confined area and for relieving radio
interference issues, so the two technologies can be considered complimentary. [6]

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Table 1 : Comparison between Li-Fi and Wi-Fi.

Figure 4 : Speed comparison between Wi-Fi and Li-Fi.

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5.] WHY ONLY Li-Fi ?

Following are the glimpses of our present scenario which Prof. Haas mentioned in his
talk at TED Global, London.

We have 1.4 million cellular radio waves base stations deployed.

We also have over 5 billions of mobile phones.
Mobile phones transmit more than 600 TB of data per month.
Wireless communication has become a utility like electricity & water.
We use it in everyday life, in our private life, business life.
Currently Wi-Fi uses Radio waves for communication.
It is important to look into this technology which has become fundamental
to our life. [1]

The radio waves currently being employed for data transmission possess four issues as
stated below :
1. Capacity:
Radio waves are limited to a certain range, scarce and expensive.
With the advent of the new generation technologies like 2.5G, 3G, 4G and
so on we are running out of spectrum.
2. Efficiency:
There are 1.4 million cellular radio base stations.
They consume massive amount of energy.
Most of this energy is not used for transmission but for cooling down the

base stations.
Efficiency of such a base station is only 5% and that raises a very big
problem.

3. Availability:
We have to switch off our mobiles in aeroplanes.
It is not advisable to use mobiles at places like petrochemical plants and
petrol pumps.
Availability of radio waves causes another concern.
4. Security:
Radio waves penetrate through walls.
They can be intercepted.
If someone has knowledge and bad intentions then he may misuse it. [2]
5.1]Alternative to Radio Waves in Electromagnetic Spectrum :
So lets look up at this in context of EM spectrum.

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Figure 5 : Electromagnetic Spectrum

Gamma rays are simply very dangerous and thus cant be used for our

purpose of communication.
X-rays are good in hospital and cant be used either.
Ultra-violet rays are sometimes good for our skin but for long duration it is

dangerous.
Infra-red rays are bad for our eyes and are therefore used at low power

levels.
We have already seen shortcomings of radio waves.
So we are left with only Visible light spectrum. [1]

Thus among the electromagnetic spectrum all we have got is the visible light which
can be effectively used for the purpose.

6.] DEVELOPMENT OF Li-Fi TECHNOLOGY :

The D-Light project at Edinburgh's Institute for Digital Communications was funded
from January 2010 to January 2012. Haas helped start a company to market LiFi. PureLi-Fi, formerly pureVLC, is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) firm
set up to commercialize Li-Fi products for integration with existing LED-lighting
systems.
In October 2011, companies and industry groups formed the Li-Fi Consortium, to
promote high-speed optical wireless systems and to overcome the limited amount of
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radio-based wireless spectrum available by exploiting a completely different part of

the electromagnetic spectrum. A number of companies offer uni-directional VLC
products which is not the same as Li-Fi.
VLC technology was exhibited in 2012 using Li-Fi. By August 2013, data rates of
over 1.6 Gbps were demonstrated over a single colour LED. In September 2013, a
press release said that Li-Fi, or VLC systems in general, do not require line-of-sight
conditions. In October 2013, it was reported Chinese manufacturers were working on
Li-Fi development kits. [8]
One part of VLC is modelled after communication protocols established by
the IEEE workgroup. However, the IEEE 802.15.7 standard is out-of-date.
Specifically, the standard fails to consider the latest technological developments in the
field of optical wireless communications. [6]
Nevertheless, the IEEE 802.15.7 standard defines the physical layer (PHY) and media
access control (MAC) layer. The standard is able to deliver enough data rates to
transmit audio, video and multimedia services. [13]
The standard defines three PHY layers with different rates The PHY I was established for outdoor application and works from 11.67
kbps to 267.6 kbps.
The PHY II layer allows to reach data rates from 1.25 Mbps to 96 Mbps.
The PHY III is used for many emissions sources with a particular
modulation method called colour shift keying (CSK) and can deliver rates
from 12 Mbps to 96 Mbps.
The first Li-Fi smart phone prototype was presented at the Consumer Electronics
Show in Las Vegas from January 710 in 2014. The phone uses Sun Partners Wysips
CONNECT, a technique that converts light waves into usable energy, making the
phone capable of receiving and decoding signals without drawing on its battery.
The Li-Fi market is projected to have a compound of 82% from 2013 to 2018 and to
be worth over $6 billion per year by 2018. [14]

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Figure 6 : Commercial product by PureVLC.

Visible light communications (VLC) signals work by switching bulbs on and off
within nanoseconds, which is too quickly to be noticed by the human eye. Although
Li-Fi bulbs would have to be kept on to transmit data, the bulbs could be dimmed to
the point that they were not visible to humans and yet still functional. The light waves
cannot penetrate walls which makes a much shorter range, though more secure from
hacking, relative to Wi-Fi. Direct line of sight isn't necessary for Li-Fi to transmit
signal and light reflected off of the walls can achieve 70 Mbps. [7]

UK researchers say they have achieved data transmission speeds of 10Gbps via Li-Fi.
The researchers used a micro-LED light bulb to transmit 3.5Gbps via each of the three
primary colours - red, green, blue - that make up white light.

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This means over 10Gbps is possible. Li-Fi is an emerging technology that could see
specialised LED lights bulbs providing low-cost wireless internet connectivity almost
everywhere. [8]

Figure 7 : Micro-LEDs can transmit large amounts of digital data in parallel.

The research, known as the ultra-parallel visible light communications project, is a
joint venture between the Universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews, Strathclyde, Oxford,
and Cambridge, and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council.
The tiny micro-LED bulbs, developed by the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow,
allow streams of light to be beamed in parallel, each multiplying the amount of data
that can be transmitted at any one time. [2]
"If you think of a shower head separating water out into parallel streams, that's how we
can make light behave," said Prof Harald Haas.
Using a digital modulation technique called Orthogonal Frequency Divisional
Multiplexing (OFDM), researchers enabled micro-LED light bulbs to handle millions
of changes in light intensity per second, effectively behaving like an extremely fast
on/off switch.

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This allows large chunks of binary data - a series of ones and zeros - to be transmitted
at high speed. [3]
Germany's Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute claimed that data rates of up to 1Gbps
per LED light frequency were possible in laboratory conditions. Chinese scientists
reportedly developed a micro chipped LED bulb that can produce data speeds of up to
150 Mbps with one bulb providing internet connectivity for four computers.
The disadvantage of traditional Wi-Fi routers is that the signal weakens the further you
are away from it, leading to inconsistent connectivity within offices and homes.
A micro chipped bulb can produce data speeds of up to 150 megabits per second
(Mbps) according Chi Nan, IT professor at Shanghai's Fudan University.

Figure 8 : Li-Fi enabled room.

7.] HOW LI-FI LIGHT SOURCES WORK ?

7.1] Introduction :
Li-Fi is a new class of high intensity light source of solid state design bringing clean
lighting solutions to general and speciality lighting. With energy efficiency, long useful
lifetime, full spectrum and dimming, [1]
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Li-Fi lighting applications work better compared to conventional approaches. This

technology brief describes the general construction of Li-Fi lighting systems and the
basic technology building blocks behind their function.
7.2] Li-Fi Construction :
The Li-Fi product consists of 4 primary sub-assemblies :
I.
II.
III.
IV.

Bulb
RF power amplifier circuit (PA)
Printed circuit board (PCB)
Enclosure

The PCB controls the electrical inputs and outputs of the lamp and houses the
microcontroller used to manage different lamp functions. An RF (radio-frequency)
signal is generated by the solid-state PA and is guided into an electric field about the
bulb. The high concentration of energy in the electric field vaporises the contents of
the bulb to a plasma state at the bulbs center; this controlled plasma generates an
intense source of light. All of these subassemblies are contained in an aluminium
enclosure. [3]
7.3] Function of the Bulb Sub-Assembly :
At the heart of Li-Fi is the bulb sub-assembly where a sealed bulb is embedded in a
dielectric material. This design is more reliable than conventional light sources that
insert degradable electrodes into the bulb. The dielectric material serves two purposes;
first as a wave guide for the RF energy transmitted by the PA and second as an electric
field concentrator that focuses energy in the bulb. The energy from the electric field
rapidly heats the material in the bulb to a plasma state that emits light of high intensity
and full spectrum.

8.] APPLICATIONS of Li-Fi (LIGHT FIDELITY) TECHNOLOGY :

Li-Fi technology is still in its infancy stage. But it has potential to serve multiple
applications in various sectors. Some of those where Li-Fi finds its applications are
discussed.
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The design and construction of the Li-Fi light source enable efficiency, long stable life,
full spectrum intensity that is digitally controlled and easy to use.

8.1] Medical Science :

Figure 9 : Li-Fi in Operation Theater.

For a long time, medical technology has lagged behind the rest of the wireless world.
Operating rooms do not allow Wi-Fi over radiation concerns, and there is also that
whole lack of dedicated spectrum. While Wi-Fi is in place in many hospitals,
interference from cell phones and computers can block signals from monitoring
equipment. Li-Fi solves both problems - lights are not only allowed in operating
rooms, but tend to be the most glaring fixtures in the room.

8.2] Airlines :
Nothing says captive audience like having to pay for the service of dialup speed Wi-Fi
on the plane. The best heard so far is that passengers will soon be offered a 'high-speed
like' connection on some airlines. United is planning on speeds as high as 9.8 Mbps

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per plane. Li-Fi could easily introduce that sort of speed to each seat's reading light.
With advancement in Li-Fi technology, more higher speeds can be achieved. [4]

Figure 10 : Li-Fi in Aeroplane [4].

8.3] Smarter Power Plants :

Wi-Fi and many other radiation types are bad for sensitive areas. Like those
surrounding power plants. But power plants need fast, inter-connected data systems to
monitor things like demand, grid integrity and, in nuclear plants, core temperature. The
savings from proper monitoring at a single power plant can add up to hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Li-Fi could offer safe, abundant connectivity for all areas of these
sensitive locations. Not only would this save money related to currently implemented
solutions, but the draw on a power plants own reserves could be lessened if they
havent yet converted to LED lighting. [4] [9]

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Figure 11 : Li-Fi can be set up in critical areas like power plants [4].

8.4] Undersea Operations :

Underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are those favourite toys of treasure
seekers that operate from large cables that supply their power and allow them to
receive signals from their pilots above.
ROVs work great, except when the tether isnt long enough to explore an area, or
when it gets stuck on something.
If their wires were cut and replaced with light say from a submerged, high-powered
lamp then they would be much freer to explore.

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They could also use their headlamps to communicate with each other, processing data
autonomously and referring findings periodically back to the surface, all the while
obtaining their next batch of orders.

Figure 12 : Under water use of Li-Fi.

8.5] Lightings Points Used as Hotspot :

Any lightings device is performed as a hotspot it means that the light device like car
lights, ceiling lights, street lamps etc. area able to spread internet connectivity using
visual light communication. Which helps us to low cost architecture for hotspot.
(Hotspot is an limited region in which some amount of device can access the internet
connectivity.)

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Figure 13 : Street lights as Li-Fi hubs.

8.6] It Could Keep You Informed and Save Lives :

Suppose theres an earthquake in New York. Or a hurricane. The average New Yorker
may not know what the protocols are for those kinds of disasters. Until they pass under
a street light, that is.
Remember, with Li-Fi, if theres light, youre online. Subway stations and tunnels,
common dead zones for most emergency communications, pose no obstruction. Plus,
in times less stressing cities could opt to provide cheap high speed Web access to every
street corner.
Also LEDs of vehicles can prove to be much helpful in working smartly and reducing
number of accidents and hazards by having interactions between themselves.
It can also help for traffic control.

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Figure 14 : LEDs of automobiles providing Li-Fi.

9.] ADVANTAGES OF Li-Fi :

Li-Fi can solve problems related to the insufficiency of radio frequency
bandwidth because this technology uses visible light spectrum that has still not
been greatly utilized.
High data transmission rates of up to 10Gbps can be achieved.
Li-Fi has an upper hand due to parallel data transmission
Since light cannot penetrate walls, it provides privacy and security that Wi-Fi
cannot.
Li-Fi has low implementation and maintenance costs.
It is safe for humans since light, unlike radio frequencies, cannot penetrate
human body. Hence, concerns of cell mutation are mitigated.

10.] DISADVANTAGES OF Li-Fi :

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Light can't pass through objects.

A major challenge facing Li-Fi is how the receiving device will transmit back
to transmitter.
High installation cost of the VLC systems.
Interferences from external light sources like sun, light, normal bulbs, opaque
materials.

11.] CONCLUSION :

The possibilities of Li-Fi are numerous and can be explored further. If his technology
can be put into practical use, every bulb can be used something like a Wi-Fi hotspot to
transmit wireless data and we will proceed toward the cleaner, greener, safer and
brighter future.
The concept of Li-Fi is currently attracting a great deal of interest, not least because it
may offer a genuine and very efficient alternative to radio-based wireless. As a
growing number of people and their many devices access wireless internet, the
airwaves are becoming increasingly clogged, making it more and more difficult to get
a reliable, high-speed signal.
This may solve issues such as the shortage of radio-frequency bandwidth and also
allow internet where traditional radio based wireless isnt allowed such as aircraft or
hospitals. One of the shortcomings however is that it only work in direct line of sight.

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12.] REFERENCES :
Papers from Journal :
1. New Epoch of wireless communication: Light Fidelity IJIRCCE, Vol. 1,
Issue 2, April 2013.
2. LI-FI the latest technology in wireless IJCCE, Vol. 2, Issue 3, July 2012.
3. "Visible-light communication: Tripping the light fantastic: A fast and cheap
optical version of Wi-Fi is coming", Economist - dated 28 January 2012.
Papers from Conferences :
4. "Wireless data from every light bulb" Harald Haas, TED Global, Edinburgh,
July 2011.
5. "Li-Fi Consortium is Launched", by Gordon Povey, dated 19 October 2011.
6. "Will Li-Fi be the new Wi-Fi?", New Scientist, by Jamie Condliffe - dated 28
July 2011.
7. "Li-Fi Internet at the Speed of Light", by Ian Lim, the gadgeteer, dated 29
August 2011.
Reports :
8. IJSER International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4,
Issue 5, May-2013 (1042).
Internet :
9. http://www.visiblelightcomm.com/
10. http://teleinfobd.blogspot.in/2012/01/what-is-Li-Fi.html
11. technopits.blogspot.comtechnology.cgap.org/2012/01/11/a-Li-Fi-world
12. http://www.Li-Ficonsortium.org/
13. the-gadgeteer.com/2011/08/29/li-fi-internet-at-thespeed-of-light/
14. http://oledcomm.com/lifi.html
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15. http://www.dvice.com/archives/2012/08/Li-Fi-ten-ways-i.php
16. http://www.digplanet.com/wiki/Li-Fi

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