TECHNICAL SEMINAR REPORT

Li-Fi and it’s Applications

PANNAGARAJ H N
1PE15EC095
 VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Belgaum-590014

Seminar Report
On
“Li-Fi”
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the VIII Semester
Bachelor of Engineering
IN
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
For the Academic year
2018-2019
BY
PANNAGARAJ H N
1PE15EC095

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Mr. RAJESH C
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Dept. of ECE, PESIT, BSC

Department of Electronics and communication Engineering

PESIT-Bangalore South Campus
HOSUR ROAD BANGALORE-56010
 PESIT, Bangalore South Campus
HOSUR ROAD
BANGALORE-560100

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the seminar entitled “Li-Fi” is a bonafide

work carried out by PANNAGARAJ H N bearing register number
1PE15EC095 in partial fulfillment for the award of Degree of Bachelors
(Bachelors of Engineering) in Electronics and communication Engineering of
Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum during the year 2018-2019.

Signatures:

Seminar Guide Head of the Dept

Mr. Rajesh C Dr. Subhash Kulkarni

Asst. Professor HOD, ECE
PESIT, BSC PESIT, BSC
Bangalore-100 Bangalore-100

Examiners:
1.
2.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the lecturers and staff of the
department of Electronics and Communication Engineering for extending their help and
guidance towards technical seminar.

I would like to thank the college management and express our sincere gratitude to
Dr.J Surya Prasad, Principal, PESIT BSC, for having given me the opportunity for the
completion of this technical seminar.

I would like to thank Dr. Subhash Kulkarni, Professor and Head, Department of
Electronics and Communication Engineering, PESIT BSC for giving us the support and
encouragement that was necessary for the completion of this technical seminar.

I would like to thank my guide Mr. Rajesh C, Assistant Professor, Department of

Electronics and Communication Engineering, PESIT BSC, for providing us the required
assistance, encouragement and constant support throughout my journey.

PANNAGARAJ H N
 ABSTRACT

Li_Fi stands for Light Fidelity.It is a new technology developed by Herald Haas which
provides the transmission of data via LED bulb whose intensity varies in much faster that it could
not be able to be detected by the naked eye. It uses visible light spectrum and reduces the load on
radio spectrum. Li-Fi can be simply put to be Wi-Fi but instead of radio waves light is used as a
medium. Instead of using modems, Li-Fi uses LED bulbs with transceiver. Data transmission in
Li-Fi is about 100 times faster than Wi-Fi. Li-Fi is very advantageous over Wi-Fi as it uses
VLC (Visible light communication).
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER CHAPTER NAME PAGE NO

1 Introduction to Li–Fi 1
2 Li-Fi Construction And Working 3
3 Comparision Between Li-Fi And Wi-Fi 5
4 Applications And Advantages Of Li-Fi 7
5 Conclusion 9
6 References 10
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIG NO DESCRIPTION PAGE NO

1 Communication Of Li-Fi 2
2 Electromagnetic Spectrum 2
3 Block Diagram Of Li-Fi sub-Assemblies 3
4 Block Diagram Of Li-Fi Systems 4
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO DESCRIPTION PAGE NO

1 Comparision Between Li-Fi And Wi-Fi 5

Chapter - 1
Introduction to Li-Fi

1.1 Wi-Fi :

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) allows networking of computers and digital devices without the
need for wires. Data is transferred over radio frequencies, allowing Wi-Fi capable devices to
receive and transmit data when they are in range of Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi uses radio technology known as IEEE802.11. It operates on either 2.4GHz or 5Ghz
depending on its type. But like most technologies it has limitations.

1.2 Li-Fi :
Li-Fi(Light Fidelity), basically the sending of the digital signals via light by extracting
the fiber out from the fiber optics and sending digital data signals from the LED light bulb whose
intensity changes at much faster speed that cannot be detected by the naked human eye.
The term was first used in this context by Harald Haas in his TED Global talk on Visible
Light Communication. If the LED is on, digital 1 is transmitted, if it‘s off 0 is transmitted. They
can be switched on and off very quickly, which gives nice opportunities for transmitted data. It is
possible to encode data in the light by varying the rate at which the LEDs flicker on and off to
give different strings of 1s and 0s. The intensity of light emitting diode is modulated so
rapidly that it cannot be detected by the naked human eye, so the output will appears
to be constant. More sophisticated techniques could dramatically increase VLC data rate.
Unless light is seen, data can’t be hacked and so data transmission is secure. Data transmission is
typically in terms of Giga bytes per second. With Li-Fi, data is transmitted by modulating the
intensity of the light, which is then received by a photo-sensitive detector, and the light signal is
demodulated into electronic form. This modulation is performed in such a way that it is not
perceptible to the human eye.

1
 Fig.1 Communication in Li-Fi

1.3 VLC (Visible Light Communication) :

Visible spectrum is a part of electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see. Its
wavelength ranges from 390-700nm. The spectrum of visible light is continuous and has seven
colors. Fig. 1. shows the spectrum of visible light. On either sides of the spectrum exists
Ultraviolet and Infrared spectrum. Transmission of data takes place in this visible region.

Fig.2 Electromagnetic spectrum

VLC communication used because

1. Compared to other spectrum visible light spectrum not used so far and it is safe to
use and having larger bandwidth.
2. X-rays have similar health issues as Gamma rays.
3. Infrared ,due to eye safety regulation, can only be used with low power.
4. Gamma rays cannot be used as they could be dangerous.
5. Ultraviolet light is good for place without people, otherwise it is dangerous for the
human body.

2
Chapter - 2
Li-Fi Construction And Working

2.1 Construction Of Li-Fi :

The main component of the Li-Fi technology :
1. LED: A high brightness white LED which acts as transmission source.

2. Silicon Photo diode:with good response to visible light as the receiving element.
LED’s can be switched on and off to generate digital strings of different combination of 1s
and 0s. To generate a new data stream, data can be encoded in the light by varying the
flickering rate of the LED. The Li-Fi emitter system consists of 4 primary sub assemblies:

1. Bulb
2. RF power amplifier circuit (PA)
3. Printed circuit board (PCB)
4. Enclosure

Fig.3 Block diagram of Li-Fi sub-assemblies

LED Lamp consists of an aluminum jacket known as enclosure within which all the
components reside. A bulb is fitted with enclosure which acts as a source of light (medium for
communication). Inputs and outputs of the lamp controlled by the PCB and for managing
different lamp functions embedded micro controller is used. For generating the radio frequency
waves, Solid state power amplifier (PA) is used and this guided into the electric field about the
bulb.The excess concentration of energy in the electric field helps in vaporizing the
contents of the bulb till the plasma state reaches at the center; this plasma will
produce an intense source of light.

3
2.2 Working Of Li-Fi :
This method of uses Visible Light Communication (VLC) nothing but the transmit
information wirelessly which is rapid pulses of light, and also technically know as Li-Fi. The
overhead lamp fitted with an LED with signal processing technology, steam data embedded in
its beam at ultra high speed to the photo detector. A receiver dongal then converts the tiny
changes in amplitude into an electrical signal which is then converted back into coded data
and transmitted stream and the transmitted to the computer or mobile.

Fig.4 Block diagram of Li-Fi system

4
Chapter - 3
Comparison Between Li-Fi And Wi-Fi

3.1 Comparison Between Li-Fi And Wi-Fi :

Parameter Li-Fi Wi-Fi

Range of Spectrum 10000 Times than Wi-Fi Radio spectrum Range

Data density Very High Low

Speed ~1 Gbps ~150 Mbps
Security Highly secure Less secure
Cost Less High
Communication Based on Visible Light Based on Radio Frequency
Communication Communication
Licenses Not Required Required
Data Transfer Medium Used light as carrier Use Radio Spectrum

Range 10 meters 20-100 meters

Bandwidth 430-770 Tera Hz 5 GHz

Routing LED’s Access Points

Device
Usage Location Anywhere, Within the
where LED WLAN range and
light is infrastructure
available like used.
roads, homes,
offices etc.

Table.1: Comparison using different parameters

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3.2 Issues With Wi-Fi :

1. CAPACITY:
1. We transmit wireless data through radio waves.
2. Radio waves are limited.
3. Radio waves are scar and expensive.
4. We only have certain range of it.
5. With the advent of new generation technologies as 2.5G, 3G, 4G and so on we are running
out of spectrum.

2. EFFICIENCY
1. There are 1.4 million cellular radio.
2. They consume massive amount of energy.
3. Most of the energy consumed, is not used to transmit the radio waves,but is used to cool the
base stations.
4. The efficiency of such a base station is only at about five percent.

3. AVAILABILITY
1. Availability of radio waves or RW signals causes another concern.
2. We have to switch off our mobile devices in aero planes.
3. It is not advisable to use mobiles at places like petrochemical plants and petrol pumps

4. SECURITY
1. The radio waves penetrate through walls.
2. They can be intercepted, and somebody can make use of one‘s network.

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Chapter - 4

Applications And Advantages Of Li-Fi

4.1 Applications :
1) Airplanes: Since Wi-Fi during flights with most of airlines is forbidden, and therefore
limited, LiFi can be a suitable replacement for wireless communication. The use of this
technology within aircraft cabin has more advantages since significant amounts of cabling
can be saved resulting in cost saving, reduced weights and flexible layout design.
2) Hospitals: LiFi can be enhanced in hospitals also where the Wi-Fi is forbidden. They can be
used in different advanced medical equipment to communicate with each other for fast data
interpretation.
3) Petrochemical industry: Since various radioactive chemicals are used for processing, the
industry does not allow RF.
4) Nuclear power plants: LiFi can be a useful replacement of Wi-Fi in electromagnetic
sensitive areas such as nuclear power plants as it does not cause any electromagnetic
interference.
5) In home and office appliances: LiFi system can be integrated in home appliances such as:
secure systems, freeze, central heating systems, TV’s, clocks and so on to reduce energy
consumption for an intelligent energy management.
6) Smart lighting: Public lighting can be used to provide LiFi hotspots and monitoring
lighting and data can be used to the same communications and sensor infrastructure .
7) Vehicle and traffic lights: LED devices can be installed as headlights and tail-lights
developing an intelligent transport system. Traffic lights can also move to LED with the
benefit of road safety and traffic control.
8) Underwater: Light propagate underwater where radio frequencies cannot be used because
of salty, high conductivity and high attenuation environment. Since cables creates threads
in communication undersea water, can be replaced with LiFi transmitters. Also they can
send data to submarines, to surface as well as to divers with their head lights.
9) In health surveillance: The wearable LiFi transmitter like LED bracelets, ear rings, wrist
watches and so on, allow continuously monitoring individual state of health providing
instant notice to family’ doctor of any significant changes occurred in health condition by
connecting to the internet and updating the information online in real time.

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4.2 Advantages Of Li-Fi :
1. Availability: light is presence everywhere, for proper transmission of data, just need to
replace with LED.
2. Lower electricity cost.
3. Security: light waves do not penetrate through the walls, so there is no question for
misuse it. It is Highly secure.
4. Li-Fi not required license, it has free band.
5. Li-Fi technology cheap in cost.
6 Capacity: light has 10000 times wider bandwidth than radio waves, so it has got large
capacity and equipment are easily available.

7. Speed is high as compared to other existing technology.

8. Efficiency: Li-Fi is more efficient because it consumes less energy, but compare with
cellular phones for the base stations required large energy.
9. It is used in VLC band which safe for human health.

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Chapter - 5
Conclusion

The concept of Li-Fi is currently attracting a great deal of interest, not least because it
may offer a genuine and very efficient alternative to radio-based wireless. As a growing
number of people and their any devices access wireless internet, the airwaves are becoming
increasingly clogged, making it more and more difficult to get a reliable, high-speed signal.
This may solve issues such as the shortage of radio-frequency bandwidth and also allow
internet where traditional radio based wireless isn‘t allowed such as aircraft or hospitals. One
of the shortcomings however is that it only work in direct line of sight.

9
 Applications of E-Nose

References

[1]. “ LiFi – the Path to a New Way of Communication”. Monica Leba, Simona
Riurean, Andreea Lonica. University of Petrosani, Romania. E-mail: monicaleba@upet.ro.
[2]. “Wireless Communication tends to Smart Technology Li-Fi and its
comparison with Wi-Fi”. M. A. Hadi. Department of Networks & Communication Systems,
Princes Nourah University, Riyadh, KSA.
[3]. “What is Li-Fi”. Harald Haas Member, IEEE, Liang Yin Student Member, IEEE,
Yunlu Wang Student Member, IEEE and Cheng Chen Student Member, IEEE
[4]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li-Fi.
[5]. “What is Li-Fi and how could it make your internet 100 times faster”. Jon
Mundy, Trusted Reviews, 03 December 2015. http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/what-
is-lifi.
[6]. "LiFi internet: First real-world usage boasts speed 100 times faster than
WiFi".Anthony Cuthbertson, Retrieved 3, December 2015.

Department of ECE, PESIT-BSC Page 10