Li-Fi is a wireless communication technology that uses light from LED bulbs to transmit data. It was coined by Professor Harald Haas in 2011 and allows data transfer speeds of up to 224 gigabytes per second. PureLiFi was founded in 2012 to commercialize Li-Fi technology for secure, high-speed communication networks that integrate data and lighting with reduced energy consumption.

2. Li-Fi or Light Fidelity is basically light
based and fully networked wireless
communication travelling at very high
speed, technology similar to Wi-Fi.
The term was coined by University of
Edinburgh Professor Harald Haas during a
TED Talk in 2011. Haas envisioned light
bulbs that could act as wireless routers.
Li-Fi uses common household LED (light
emitting diodes) lightbulbs to enable data
transfer, boasting speeds of up to 224
Gigabytes per second. Transceiver fitted in
LED bulbs act like Wi-Fi modems.

3. Established in 2012 with Professor
Harald Haas as Chief Scientific Officer,
pureLiFi is a spin-out from the
University of Edinburgh, where its
pioneering research into visible light
communication has been in
development since 2008 as part of
the renowned D-Light project.
Mission Statement-
“pureLiFi seeks to resolve the global
struggle for diminishing wireless
capacity by developing and delivering
technology for secure, reliable, high
speed communication networks that
seamlessly integrate data and lighting
utility infrastructures and significantly
reduce energy consumption.”

5. • Li-Fi and Wi-Fi are quite similar as both transmit data electromagnetically. However, Wi-
Fi uses radio waves while Li-Fi runs on visible light.
• As we now know, Li-Fi is a Visible Light Communications (VLC) system. This means that
it accommodates a photo-detector to receive light signals and a signal processing
element to convert the data into 'stream-able' content.
• An LED lightbulb is a semi-conductor light source meaning that the constant current of
electricity supplied to an LED lightbulb can be dipped and dimmed, up and down at
extremely high speeds, without being visible to the human eye.
• For example, data is fed into an LED light bulb (with signal processing technology), it
then sends data (embedded in its beam) at rapid speeds to the photo-detector
(photodiode).
• The tiny changes in the rapid dimming of LED bulbs is then converted by the 'receiver'
into electrical signal.
• The signal is then converted back into a binary data stream that we would recognise as
web, video and audio applications that run on internet enables devices.

7. Theoretical speed up to 1GB per second,
allowing HD movies to be downloaded in
mere 3-5 seconds. Therefore, less time &
energy consumption.
Mostly LED lightbulbs are used, which
consumes less energy, hence cost efficient.
As light waves cannot penetrate through
walls, the data cannot be intercepted. Thus
provides secured communication.
Efficient and reliable alternative to radio
waves based wireless as light waves will not
interfere with radio waves.

8. Visible light cannot penetrate through solid
objects. Thus, signal's range is limited by physical
barriers.
Internet cannot be used without a light source.
This could limit the locations and situations in
which Li-Fi could be used.
Other sources of light may interfere with the
signal. One of the biggest potential drawbacks is
the interception of signals outdoors. Sunlight will
interfere the signals, resulting in interrupted
Internet.
A whole new infrastructure for Li-Fi would need
to be constructed.

9. In Aircrafts, for data transmission
without causing interference with the
radio equipments.
In Traffic scenario, to prevent
accidents.
In Lecture Halls and Seminar rooms,
for an interactive approach.
In Radio frequency restricted
environment like chemical industries,
nuclear power plants, petrochemical
plants, etc.
In Underwater communication, where
radio waves cannot propagate.
In Operation theatres, where it is
difficult to lay optical fibers.