Li-Fi TECNOLOGY FOR INDIAN NAVY
In order to acquire Li-Fi technology for the Indian Defense sector, with a special focus on the Navy, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) funded a telecom start-up (Velmenni), under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.
In the defense and aerospace industries, iDEX promotes innovation and technological advancement.
iDEX is managed by the MoD's Defence Innovation Organization.
Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) Technology:
It uses light to transmit data.
Unlike Wi-Fi which uses radio waves, Li-Fi is a bidirectional wireless system uses visible light (400-800 Terahertz) for communication.
Transmits data with the help of Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Basic Principle: The data is transmitted through light by modulating the intensity of the LED light bulb, which is then received by a photodetector.
Components:
LED Light Bulb: It acts as a transmitter by modulating light intensity.
Photodetector: It receives the modulated light and converts it back to electrical signals.
Processor: It decodes the electrical signals into data
Working: The on/off activity of the LED transmitter enables data transmission in accordance with the incoming binary codes (switching ON is a logical '1', switching it OFF is a logical '0').
Applications of Li-Fi
Healthcare: Ensures secure and interference-free data transfer in medical settings.
Aviation: Provides high-speed internet on airplanes without causing electromagnetic interference.
Underwater Communication: Facilitates data transfer underwater where radio waves are less effective.
Internet of Things (IoT): Enhances communication between IoT devices.
Smart Lighting: Combines data communication with lighting systems in smart cities.
Advantages of Li-Fi
Speed: Achieves data transfer rates up to 224 Gbps in controlled lab settings.
Bandwidth: Uses the visible light spectrum, which is 10,000 times larger than the radio spectrum.
Security: Light waves cannot pass through walls, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Interference: Immune to electromagnetic interference, making it ideal for sensitive environments like hospitals and aircraft.
Energy Efficiency: LED lights, which are energy-efficient, can simultaneously provide illumination and communication.
Limitations of Li-Fi
Line of Sight: Requires a clear line of sight between the LED source and the receiver.
Distance: Has a shorter range compared to Wi-Fi due to light diffusion.
Infrastructure: Needs the installation of LED bulbs and photodetectors, which can be expensive.
Li-Fi can enhance data transmission for the Indian Navy and other defence applications. It offers enhanced security and performance, making it ideally suited for the Indian Navy‘s real-time communication needs. With LiFi, the Navy can establish high-speed connections in areas where radio frequency (RF) communication may be challenging or compromised.
