Li-Fi Technology in Wireless Communication

Revathi Ganesan
1.) ABSTRACT
Li-Fi or Light Fidelity refers to 5G Visible Light Communication systems using light-emitting
diodes as a medium to high-speed communication in a similar manner as Wi-Fi. In the days
where internet has become a major demand, people are in a search for Wi-Fi hotspots. Li-Fi or
New Life of data communication is a better alternative to Wi-Fi in wireless communication. This
paper proposes a survey on Li-Fi Technology. The Li-fi technology was invented by Professor
Harald Hass of University of Edinburgh. Li-Fi has more capacity in terms of bandwidth in
visible region therefore it does not poke its nose in other communications which uses radio
frequency range, without taking its frequency bands. Li-Fi has thousand times greater speed than
Wi-Fi and provides security as the visible light is unable to penetrate through the walls, which
propose a new era of wireless communication. The concept of Li-Fi is data communication on
fast flickering of light which is not detected by human eye but it is focused on photo detector
which converts the on-off state into binary digital data. It has gained a huge popularity in two
years of its invention. Such technology has brought not only greener but safer and cheaper future
of communication.
KEYWORDS: LED (Light Emitting Diode), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Li-Fi (Light Fidelity),
VLC (Visible Light Communication), RF (Radio Frequency).
2.) INTRODUCTION
The concept of Li-fi is currently attracting a great deal of interest, not least because it offers a
genuine and very efficient alternative to RF.As a growing number of people and their recent
device access wireless internet, the airwaves are becoming increasingly clogged and
unavailability of free bandwidths to every device, making it more and more difficult to get a
reliable, high speed signal. The opportunity to exploit a completely different part of the
electromagnetic spectrum is very appealing. Li-Fi has other advantages over Wi-Fi, such as safe
to use at nuclear power plants, thermal power stations where Wi-Fi cannot be used. In such
stations RF waves can be harmful and can cause accident, to communicate in such regions only
visible light spectrum can be safe. Apart from adverse regions Li-fi can also be used in all places
where Wi-Fi can be used. Li-fi is present wherever there is availability of light, in turn
eradicating the necessity of having hot-spots only at selected places. There are four criterions to
judge on the working of Li-Fi and Wi-Fi that is, capacity, efficiency, availability and security.
Both Li-fi and Wi-Fi uses electromagnetic spectrum for data transmission, but whereas Wi-Fi
utilizes radio waves, Li-Fi uses visible light communication in the range of 100Mbps. The
present paper deals with the VLC which provide a wide and fast data rate like 500Mbps. In this
paper, the comparison is made between Wi-Fi and Li-Fi technology. This paper also discusses the
working, implementation and improvements in Li-fi technology.

This paper is organized as follows. Section 2 discusses the introduction to Li-fi and Wi-fi. In
section 3, the history and future scope of Li-Fi technology has been discussed. Section 4
discusses LI-Fi communication with other devices. Working of LI-Fi technology is discussed in
section 5. In section 6, physical layer, modulation formats and frequency spectrum that is related
with Li-Fi communication has been discussed. Section 7 deals with the Li-Fi system which was
designed by Chinese professor Chi Nan. In Section 8, comparison is made between the Li-Fi,
Wi-Fi
and
Bluetooth
technology.
Finally,
section
9
presents
conclusion.

3.) HISTORY AND FUTURE OF LI-FI

The technology underpinning Li-Fi was pioneered by German Physicist Harald Hass, currently
based at University of Edinburgh in UK. Haas coined the term Li-Fi(Light Fidelity) in 2011 in
the context of a talk presenting the new technology at the TED (Technology Entertainment and
Design) Global conference. The word quickly entered common parlance as an instantly
recognizable alternative to Wi-Fi. Both terms are examples of abbreviations linguists sometimes
describe as clipped forms( i.e. Wi-Fi=wireless fidelity, Li-Fi= light fidelity). Haass research
project, originally known as D-light(short for Data Light), is now set to launch a prototype Li-Fi
application under the name of newly-formed company VLC(Visible Light Communication) Ltd.,
which was setup to commercialize the technology.
The Li-Fi technology can be used for various purposes, it matters the data transmission through
LEDs thus all the screens which illuminate light can be served as a platform for data
communication. The screen of the mobile phone, television, bulbs can act as a source of light. On
the other hand, the receiving platform, the photo detector can be replaced by a camera in mobile
phone for scanning and retrieving data. Its other applications are Li-fi for desktops, smartcard Lifi, Li-fi for schools, hospitals, Li-fi in cities, smart guides, museums, hotels, fairgrounds, events
indoor and LBS(Location-based Services), access control and identification crisis, malls, airport
and dangerous environments like thermal power plants.
4.) OUTLOOK OF LI-FI

In figure 1.1 shows how the Li-Fi cloud will get communicated with others devices. Li-fi using
visible light instead of gigahertz radio waves. Currently there are 1.4 billion base stations which
consume more energy and its efficiency is less than 5 percent and we have a total of
approximately 5 million mobile phones which transfer more than 600 terabytes of data every
month which showcase the fact that wireless has become utility. Li-Fi is free of complex network
of wires and box which is installed in the case of Wi-Fi. This is a digital system that translates
the classic binary language of zeros and ones in light pulses off or on, respectively, through tiny
LED bulbs on and off a million of times per second. The pioneers of data transmission through
blinking of LEDs can create wireless internet access with data transmission speeds of close to
10Gbit/s, theoretically, allowing a high-definition film to be downloaded in 30 seconds which is
250 times faster than superfast broadband. These benefits come at a fivefold transits currently
offering fiber optic lines, to benefit from this technology requires a luminous router (which can
adhere cheaply and easily into any conventional electric bulb) which is capable of emitting the
binary signal.
5) HOW THE BASIC LIGHT IS CONVERTED INTO ELECTRICITY
Vacuum equations, electromagnetic waves and speed of light

Figure 1.2 is a 3D diagram shows a plane linearly polarized wave propagating from left to right
with the same wave equations from left to right
Where E = E0 sin(t + k r) and B = B0 sin(t + k r)
In a region with no charges ( = 0) and no currents (J = 0), such as in a vacuum, Equation 1 is
reduced Maxwells equations:

(1)
Taking the curl () of the curl equations, and using the curl of the curl identity (X) =
(X) 2X we obtain the wave equations (2)
(2)
Which identify
C is the speed of light in free space. In materials with relative permittivity r and relative
permeability r, the phase velocity of light becomes
which is usually less than c.
In addition, E and B are mutually perpendicular to each other and the direction of wave
propagation, and are in phase with each other. A sinusoidal plane wave is one special solution of
these equations. Maxwells equations explain how these waves can physically propagate through
space. The changing magnetic field creates a changing electric field through Faradays law. In
turn, that electric field creates a changing magnetic field through Maxwells correction to
Ampres law. This perpetual cycle allows these waves, now known as electromagnetic radiation,
to move through space at velocity c.
BOUND CURRENT AND CHARGE

Figure1.3 Left: schematic view of how an assembly of microscopic dipoles produces opposite
surface charges as shown at top and bottom. Right: How an assembly of microscopic current
loops add together to produce a macroscopically circulating current loop. Inside the boundaries,
the individual contributions tend to cancel, but at the boundaries no cancelation occurs.
When an electric field is applied to a dielectric material its molecules respond by forming
microscopic electric dipoles their atomic nuclei move a tiny distance in the direction of the
field, while their electrons move a tiny distance in the opposite direction. This produces
a macroscopic bound charge in the material even though all of the charges involved are bound to
individual molecules. For example, if every molecule responds the same, similar to that shown in
the figure, these tiny movements of charge combine to produce a layer of positive bound
charge on one side of the material and a layer of negative charge on the other side. The bound

charge is most conveniently described in terms of the polarization P of the material, its dipole
moment per unit volume. If P is uniform, a macroscopic separation of charge is produced only at
the surfaces where P enters and leaves the material. For non-uniform P, a charge is also produced
in the bulk.
Somewhat similarly, in all materials the constituent atoms exhibit magnetic moments that are
intrinsically linked to the angular momentum of the components of the atoms, most notably
their electrons. The connection to angular momentum suggests the picture of an assembly of
microscopic current loops. Outside the material, an assembly of such microscopic current loops
is not different from a macroscopic current circulating around the materials surface, despite the
fact that no individual magnetic moment is traveling a large distance. These can be described
using the magnetization M.
The very complicated and granular bound charges and bound currents, therefore can be
represented on the macroscopic scale in terms of P and M which average these charges and
currents on a sufficiently large scale so as not to see the granularity of individual atoms, but also
sufficiently small that they vary with location in the material. As such, the Maxwells
macroscopic equations ignores many details on a fine scale that can be unimportant to
understanding matters on a gross scale by calculating fields that are averaged over some suitable
volume.[21] This Table 1 shows Maxwells equations.

6) WORKING OF LI-FI

In Figure 1.4, shows the binary data are captured by few light receptors are required, and are
installed on all types of connected devices, from computers to tablets, to phones, televisions or
appliances. Matter experts make clear that the light pulses are imperceptible to the human eye,
without causing damage or discomfort of any kind. In addition, any lamp or flashlight can
become a hotspot. How Li-fi works is simple: You have a light on one end (an LED), and a
photodetector (light sensor) on the other. If the LED is ON, the photo detector registers a binary
one; otherwise its a binary zero. Flash the LED enough times and you build up a message. Use
an array of LEDs, and perhaps a few different colors, and very soon you are dealing with data
rates in the range of hundreds or megabits per second, this is accomplished by the flickering of
LED light bulbs to create binary code (on = 1, off = 0), and is done at higher rates than the
human eye can detect. The more LEDs in your lamp, the more data it can process.[10]
Figure 1.5 shows brief connection of internet with LED and information retrieved on the
computer. One LED transfers data at a slower rate, so millions of LEDs with one micron size are
installed in the bulb. The reduction of size of LEDs does not decrease its capability to transfer
data or intensity on the opposite it increases the efficiency of one light bulb to transmit the data
at an unexpectedly higher rates. Furthermore, these micro-LEDs are ultimately just pixels and
at one micron, these LEDs would be a lot smaller than those in your Smartphones retina display.
You could have a huge array of these LEDs that double up as a rooms light source and a display
and provides networking capability on the side. Perhaps a next-next-generation console would
communicate with your gamepad, Smartphone, and other peripherals via a Li-Fi-equipped TV. It
indeed provides a highway lighting that illuminates the road, provides up-to-date traffic
info/warnings, and provides internet access to your car, plus all of the devices on-board.

Figure 1.6 is the model of li-fi led lights, on a more general level; Li-Fi might be used to extend
wireless networks throughout the home, workplace, and in commercial areas. Li-Fi is restricted
by line of sight, so it wont ever replace Wi-Fi, but it could augment it nicely. Instead of trying to
find the perfect sweet spot for your homes Wi-Fi router, it would be much simpler if every light
in your house simply acted as a wireless network bridge. Its shown in the figure 1.7. While Li-Fi
is still in its early stages, the technology could provide an alternative to using radio waves for
wireless Internet access. Currently, household Wi-Fi routers and mobile telecommunication
towers depend on radio signals to send data wirelessly. But the amount of radio spectrum is
limited.[12]
7) LI-FI COMMUNICATIONS
This section deals with physical layer, modulation formats and frequency spectrum that is related
with Li-Fi communication. 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. It takes into account the optical transmission mobility, its
compatibility with artificial lighting present in infrastructures, the deviance which may be caused
by interference generated by the ambient lighting. The MAC layer allows using the link with the
other layers like the TCP/IP protocol. The standard defines three PHY layers with different rates:
The PHY I was established for outdoor application and works from11.67 kbit/s to 267.6 kbit/s.
The PHY II layer allows to reach data rates from 1.25 Mbit/s to 96 Mbit/s.
The PHY III is used for many emissions sources with a particular modulation method called
color shift keying (CSK). PHY III can deliver rates from 12 Mbit/s to 96 Mbit/s.
The modulation formats recognized for PHY I and PHY II are the coding on-off keying (OOK)
and variable pulse position modulation (VPPM). The Manchester coding used for the PHY I and

PHY II layers include the clock inside the transmitted data by representing a logic 0 with an
OOK symbol 01 and a logic 1 with an OOK symbol 10, all with a DC component. The DC
component avoids the light extinction in case of an extended line of logic 0. Optical Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiplexing (O-OFDM) modulation methods which have been optimized
for data rates, multiple-access and energy efficiency which can be used for Li-Fi communication.
The new high-speed optical wireless models used in both indoors and outdoors. The Li-Fi
provides resources for OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturer] and ODM [Original Design
Manufacturers]developers to create exciting new products. With the emergence of high-speed
cable connections like Thunderbolt and USB 3.0, the stage is set for a wireless equivalent. While
Wi-Fi is very popular for pervasive 100+ Mbps service, multi-Gigabit short-range optical
wireless interconnects provide an alternative to the proposed Gigabit RF solution. Some of the
advantages
of
optical
wireless
communications
include:
a) Scalability to 10+ Gbps, b) A wide variety of beaming angles and distances,
c)
No
spectrum
license
required,
d)
High
physical
link
security,
e) No RF interference and f) No possible harmful RF radiation.
The technology is ideal for wireless docking, data links with kiosks and mobile displays,
medium-range beaming, data showers and optical cellular networks. Users will be able to enjoy a
wireless RF-free user environment with data rates that can transfer a 2-hour HDTV video in less
than 30 seconds and wirelessly link their bus-connected heavy-lifting peripheral cabinets located
elsewhere in the room.[11]

For communication purpose light wave carry data in a fast manner, but in radio wave the data
transfer rate is slow. So for that reason we are looking for light wave communication. It is shown
by the figure 1.8.There is a disadvantage that light does not penetrate through the walls and no
communication in darkness, so if one moves from one room to another he will need a wired bulb
in that room too.

8) LI-FI AT RETAILERS SHOP

OLEDCOMM sold the first ever commercially available products based on Li-Fi technology,
contributing hence to reduce the radio electromagnetic wave pollution. From your LED you can
listen to music, play videos and ultimately connect to internet. But a Professor Chi, from Fudan
University showed this technology at China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. This system
needed no complex Wi-Fi routers that use radio signals, but only relies on light to send and
retrieve data wirelessly. Figure 1.7 shows the Li-Fi system using retail components which has
been designed by Chinese professor Chi Nan . Chis system runs at 150Mbps by using small
number of LED but the speed can be increased to the maximum of 3.5 Gbps. Both transmitter
and receivers are installed with LED and chip that process the signals. As the progress is going
on, the size of the system is reducing from a play station console to PC laptops. As there are
several problems to be resolved there could be an estimate of another five years before the
technology can enter the market as consumer products.

9) COMPARISON OF WIRELESS NETWORKS

10)CONCLUSION
In this paper, a survey on Li-Fi technology has been discussed. From this 5G Li-Fi technology,
we can see that the Li-Fi is an advanced approach on design, having the best ever design of
internet by largely reducing the size of device which transfers data, implementation- by means of
having more than 1.4 million light bulbs all over the world if replaced by such LEDS can provide
feasible access, and last but not the least enormous applications compared to any other networks
in various fields which cannot be imagined by on use networks. Although there are some
disadvantages, but can be eliminated by careful further research. Li-Fi has provided a step
forward invention in the world of growing hunger communication, this is safe to all biodiversity
including humans and progressing towards a greener, cheaper and brighter future of

technologies.
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