Which is better? Wi-Fi Or Li-Fi ( WiFi and LiFi – A Comparison Study )
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| WiFi and LiFi – A Comparison Study |
Light Fidelity or LiFi is a revolutionary high speed, bi-directional, fully networked wireless communication technology similar to WiFi. It is touted to be the ‘next big thing’ in the field of Internet technology. Unlike WiFi, that operates on a radio frequency (RF) of upto 5 GHz, LiFi can transmit about 10,000 times the data available on RF spectrum. It is estimated to be more than 100 times faster than existing WiFi systems and will usher in an era where machines will literally fulfill all our needs.
Coined by Harold Haas, professor at the University of Edinburgh, LiFi is a form of visible light communication system that uses Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs for data transmission. It is similar to optical communication technology that uses light for transmission, but this one works with a faster speed and greater bandwidth. On switching on and off LED bulbs, data is transmitted so quickly – within a few nanoseconds. It has so far reached a speed of 10 Gbps, which is about 100 times faster than ‘superfast’ Wi-Fi.Once LiFi becomes a reality, we can use it anywhere, anytime. As LED light bulbs are available everywhere, connectivity will be possible even in airplanes, submarines, hospitals among others where WiFi fails. It does not have any electromagnetic interference like that of radio waves. Hence, it can easily pass through a more denser medium like sea water where the salt content is high. Moreover, it assures highly secure connectivity as light signals do not penetrate walls ruling out the possibility of hacking.
So, in the near future when your refrigerator sends you a message telling you have run out of vegetables or your coffee machine starts on its own by obeying a smartphone signal, do not be surprised. LiFi will be ubiquitous within a few years and will outshine WiFi to give us a completely novel Internet experience.
Do check out this infographic to know the comparison between LiFi and WiFi.
Coined by Harold Haas, professor at the University of Edinburgh, LiFi is a form of visible light communication system that uses Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs for data transmission. It is similar to optical communication technology that uses light for transmission, but this one works with a faster speed and greater bandwidth. On switching on and off LED bulbs, data is transmitted so quickly – within a few nanoseconds. It has so far reached a speed of 10 Gbps, which is about 100 times faster than ‘superfast’ Wi-Fi.Once LiFi becomes a reality, we can use it anywhere, anytime. As LED light bulbs are available everywhere, connectivity will be possible even in airplanes, submarines, hospitals among others where WiFi fails. It does not have any electromagnetic interference like that of radio waves. Hence, it can easily pass through a more denser medium like sea water where the salt content is high. Moreover, it assures highly secure connectivity as light signals do not penetrate walls ruling out the possibility of hacking.
So, in the near future when your refrigerator sends you a message telling you have run out of vegetables or your coffee machine starts on its own by obeying a smartphone signal, do not be surprised. LiFi will be ubiquitous within a few years and will outshine WiFi to give us a completely novel Internet experience.
Do check out this infographic to know the comparison between LiFi and WiFi.
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| WiFi and LiFi |
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| FULL FORM |
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| OPERATION |
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| INTERFERENCE |
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| TECHNOLOGY |
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| MERITS (ADVANTAGES) |
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| PRIVACY |
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| DATA TRANSFER SPEED |
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| FREQUENCY OF OPERATION |
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| DATA DENSITY |
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| COVERAGE DISTANCE |
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| SYSTEM COMPONENTS |
Advantages of Wi-Fi:
- Convenience: The Wi-Fi being a wireless technology allow users to access network resources from any convenient location within their primary networking environment, its a great advantage for the people at schools, offices, hospitals.
- Ease of Installation: Wi-Fi technology is easy to install.
- Mobility:Users can even access the internet outside their normal work environment.
- Productivity: Users linked to a wireless network can keep a constant affiliation with their preferred network as they move from place to place.
- Expandability: Wireless networks can provide an increased number of clients with the existing equipment.
- Wi-Fi Offloading: Mobile operators can manage cellular data networks in an affordable and flexible way by offloading users from the 3G/4G network to Wi-Fi networks.
Advantages of Li-Fi:
Li-Fi is safe because it does not use radio waves which are harmful to humans as they can penetrate the body.
- Since there will be no signal penetration, Li-Fi is very secure.
- Li-Fi works even under water so it is useful in several sectors.
- The data transfer rates are great.
- There are many applications of Li-Fi in various areas e.g. Health sector, Safety, Airlines, Underwater communications, etc.
- Higher speeds than Wi-Fi.
- 10000 times the frequency spectrum of radio.
- More secure because data cannot be intercepted without a clear line of sight.
- Prevents piggybacking.
- Eliminates neighboring network interference.
- Unimpeded by radio interference.
- Does not create interference in sensitive electronics, making it better for use in environments like hospitals, schools and aircraft.
Disadvantages of Li-Fi:
We know that nothing can be perfect in this world. Li-Fi has some disadvantages:
- Light can’t pass through objects or walls.
- Li-Fi requires the computer to be in the line of sight to be able to transmit data.
- High installation cost of the VLC System.
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