Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is a wireless communication system. Equivalent to Wi-Fi, it has a very distinct particularity: it works thanks to light, thanks to the flashing of LEDs. To connect to the internet, send and receive data, the user must expose his equipment to light waves.
According to L’Indépendant, although its range is very low since it depends on a luminous halo, Li-Fi displays increasingly impressive performance. Today, Li-Fi boasts an average speed of 2 Gbps (Gigabits per second). Constantly improving, its power should reach 100 Gbps by 2025.
Since 2005, Li-Fi has been tested in France. Researchers at the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines are pioneers in the field. On April 15, 2023, they put a first observation satellite into orbit in order to test Li-Fi technology, called SatelLife, in real conditions. This technology was developed by the start-up Oledcomm.
If the tests are conclusive, Li-Fi could become a sustainable solution in the space sector. Benjamin Azoulay, CEO of Oledcomm, revealed to L’Usine Nouvelle that the start-up was in discussions with NASA as well as companies such as Thales, Airbus and ArianeGroup. From space to aeronautics, Li-Fi could one day find its way into our homes. How would Li-Fi be more efficient than Wi-Fi?
Li-Fi has many advantages. First of all, it can be used to connect to the internet but also to light: a two-in-one linked to its very operation. In addition, Li-Fi appears to be a more secure solution than Wi-Fi. Unlike the latter, Li-Fi cannot cross walls (BFMTV). Since light does not pass through physical objects, the Li-Fi connection cannot then be intercepted or hacked by an outside party.
Finally, Li-Fi would be the perfect alternative to Wi-Fi in all places where it is prohibited for risk of interference with other radio waves or for health reasons: such as in airports, military areas, nurseries or certain hospital services. Several experiments have already taken place, notably in airports in Dubai. When will there be an “internet of light” in our homes?
For lack of compatible equipment, Li-Fi is still struggling to become more democratic. To be able to operate, it requires LED equipment but also mobile terminals with the necessary sensors. However, today, very few devices are compatible with this technology. Only sector professionals such as defense or health have access to it.
By miniaturizing Li-Fi in a single chip, the company Oledcomm would like to make this technology accessible to smartphones, tablets and other connected objects for the general public. According to BFMTV, in early March 2023, during the Mobile World Congress, the Scottish pureLiFi presented a chip called “light antenna” or Light Antenna ONE. This Li-Fi module of less than 20 mm in length could soon be integrated into any type of connected device. Coming soon to our cell phones?
