EAST WEST INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum, Karnataka)

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

TECHNICAL SEMINAR

Current Status and Challenges of Li-Fi:

IEEE 802.11BB

SUBMITTED BY : UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF :

VARSHINI R GOWDA PROF. PADMINI K
(1EW20CS145) Associate Professor, Dept. of CSE
CONTENTS

 Introduction
 Technology used
 Algorithms
 Mathematical Model
 Implementation
 Result Analysis
 Advantages and Disadvantages
 Applications
 Conclusion
 References
 INTRODUCTION

 Existing and emerging wireless network applications require high data rates, transmission
security, uninterrupted connections, and no performance degradation in dense deployments.
 Exploiting the visible and infrared light spectrum opens opportunities for novel applications in
industrial, medical, enterprise, and residential scenarios where traditional radio frequencies are
restricted, prohibited, or inefficient.
 To enable LC in Wi-Fi networks, the IEEE 802.11 Working Group has launched a new
802.11bb standard.
 802.11bb will inherit properties like a wide range of use cases, an established ecosystem of
consumer electronics, and a huge market from Wi-Fi - allowing LC technology to potentially
reduce per-device costs.
 TECHNOLOGY USED

 802.11bb relies on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for waveform

generation. It uses DC-biased optical OFDM (DCO-OFDM).
 The standard defines light communication (LC) frontend models consisting of an LED
driver and transimpedance amplifier to evaluate the impact on the communication
channel.
 Multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) and beamforming are not supported initially in
802.11bb. The transmitting chains need to be spatially separated to prevent interference.
 For the medium access control (MAC) layer, new features are introduced like repetition
clear channel assessment (RCCA) to tackle the hidden node problem.
 ALGORITHMS
 Modulation Techniques:
 Single-Carrier Modulation (SCM): Li-Fi can be modulated using conventional SCM.
 Multiple-Carrier Modulation (MCM): MCM is another modulation technique employed in Li-Fi.
 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM): OFDM, a derivative of MCM, provides the highest speeds
in Li-Fi².
 Near-Infrared Spectrum:
 The 802.11bb standard utilizes light in the near-infrared spectrum (800 to 1000 nm) for data transmission.
 This spectrum allows for data rates ranging from 10 Mbit/s to 9.6 Gbit/s while ensuring interoperability between
devices with varying capabilities¹.
 Ongoing Development:
 The IEEE 802.11 Light Communications Task Group, including companies like pureLiFi and Fraunhofer HHI, has
been actively involved in developing 802.11bb.
 Researchers continue to address challenges related to waveform generation, physical layer enhancements, and
MAC protocols in Li-Fi¹³.
 MATHEMATICAL MODEL

Fig1. Block diagram of transmitter and receiver mathematical models.

 Separate transmitter and receiver mathematical models are provided (Figs. 1b and 1d). These
contain cascaded filters to model frequency responses.
 The transmitter model has an Nth order low-pass Butterworth filter representing the LED
driver. A 1st order high-pass filter accounts for impedance matching.
 A DC bias component is added to ensure a non-negative input signal to the electrical-to-optical
converter.
 The receiver model has a transimpedance amplifier and filters - a 1st order high-pass filter
removes the DC bias and a low-pass filter selects the signal bandwidth.
 Noise sources like shot noise and thermal noise are included in the receiver model. Parameters
for these models are given in [8] to match real measurements.
 IMPLEMENTATION

 802.11bb defines new light communication (LC) physical layers (PHYs) based on
existing 802.11 WiFi standards to enable high data rate optical wireless communication.
 The waveform uses DC-biased optical OFDM (DCO-OFDM) which transforms the RF
OFDM signal into a real, non-negative signal suitable for intensity modulation used in
LC. An LC frontend model is also defined.
 MAC layer protocols are adapted to solve issues like hidden node problem using
repetition clear channel assessment (RCCA) and fast session transfer mechanism for
seamless switching between LC and RF links.
 Research directions are highlighted to boost LC performance beyond
802.11bb capabilities.
 RESULT ANALYSIS

 Experiments with repetition clear channel assessment (RCCA)

showed 2x higher uplink throughput compared to without RCCA.
RCCA also reduced packet error rate by resolving hidden node
issue.
 Simulations demonstrated that adaptive bit and power loading
enables LC transmission at SNRs below 4dB and reduces required
SNR for 100Mbps by up to 17dB compared to uniform allocation.
 The LC frontend model parameters proposed match
measurements from real LC transceivers. The models will help
evaluate LC systems and signal impairments. Fig2 : Experimental performance
 Key results on full-duplex operation, multi-link enhancements, evaluation results of RCCA with three
and higher throughput solutions are pending and will require LC stations [12]: a) total uplink
throughput at AP; b) packet error rate.
more research beyond the current 802.11bb development.
 ADVANTAGES

 Very high data rates and potential for multi-Gbps in future.

 Large amount of free, unlicensed visible light spectrum available .
 Enhanced security since light does not penetrate opaque barriers.
 No RF interference, can work safely in sensitive environments like hospitals, aircrafts etc.
 DISADVANTAGES

 Requirement of line-of-sight, connections interrupted by obstacles.

 Limited non-line-of-sight propagation to only diffuse reflections.
 Smaller coverage area per access point compared to WiFi .
 Lack of compatibility with existing WiFi devices and legacy installations
 APPLICATIONS

 Industrial wireless.
 Healthcare.
 Enterprise networks.
 Secure home networks.
 Backhaul networks.
 Underwater communications.
 CONCLUSION

• 802.11bb brings Li-Fi into Wi-Fi by adapting existing Wi-Fi protocols. This will help Li-
Fi enter the mainstream market.
• 802.11bb focuses on using Li-Fi in factories, hospitals, offices, and homes. It provides
models to guide further Li-Fi research.
• The current draft adapts existing Wi-Fi signal formats for light and defines a light
communication front-end.
• New mechanisms help avoid interference between hidden Li-Fi devices and recover from
blocked line-of-sight links.
 REFERENCES

[1] IEEE Stds. Assn. — Documents;https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/documents?is_dcn=channel

[20model&is_group=00bb&is_options=5 , accessed Feb. 17, 2021.
[2] E. Khorov, I. Levitsky and I. F. Akyildiz, “Current Status and Directions of IEEE 802.11be, the
Future Wi-Fi 7,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 88,664–88, 2020
[3] E. Khorov et al., “A Tutorial on IEEE 802.11ax High Efficiency WLANs,” IEEE Commun.
Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 21, no. 1, 1st qtr. 2019, pp. 197–216. DOI: 10.1109/COMST.2018.2871099.
[4]M. Uysal, “CIRs of IEEE 802.11bb Reference Channel Models,” Nov. 2018;
https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/18/11-18-1603-01-00bb-cirs-of-ieee-802-11bb-reference-channel-
models.zip, accessed Feb. 17, 2021.
[5] P. W. Berenguer, V. Jungnickel, and J. K. Fischer, “The Benefit of Frequency-Selective Rate
Adaptation for Optical Wireless Communications,” 2016 10th Int’l. Symp. Commun. Systems,
Networks and Digital Signal Processing, July 2016. DOI: 10.1109/CSNDSP.2016.7573926.
THANK YOU