Li-Fi is on its way to the public, as researchers have finally tested it in the real world, and it offers some pretty impressive results.
The technology transmits data using a technique called visible light communication, or VLC, and using the tech, scientists were able to transmit data at a pretty hefty 224 GB per second. Outside of the lab, scientists reported speeds of 1 GB per second, which is a lot less than in the lab, but still represents speeds that are 100 times speedier than the average Wi-Fi delivery.
"Currently we have designed a smart lighting solution for an industrial environment where the data communication is done through light. We are also doing a pilot project with a private client where we are setting up a Li-Fi network to access the Internet in their office space," said Deepak Solanki, CEO of Velmenni, in an interview with IBTimes UK.
Li-Fi as a medium uses visible light between 400 and 800 terahertz to transmit data, working basically like an advanced form of Morse code. Light is switched on and off much faster than the human eye can detect, which can be used to write things in binary code.
There are a number of benefits to Li-Fi that don't have to do with data speeds. For example, Li-Fi networks are far more secure because they use light, which cannot pass through walls. Li-Fi networks will be the end of your neighbors trying to piggyback on your network.
Of course, it's important to mention that Li-Fi probably won't totally replace Wi-Fi networks. Instead, the two technologies will likely be used together to offer more secure and efficient networks. Not only that, but with buildings having already been fitted with the necessary infrastructure to support Wi-Fi, replacing all of this tech isn't exactly the easiest thing to do. In the future, researchers predict that every LED lightbulb could be used as a way to deliver high-speed Internet.
Via: IBTimes UK
