Introduction
Currently, the successful wireless communication and exchange of data and messages are possible with the help of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) technology that is actively used in social and business life (Gupta, 2015). However, today, it is possible to speak about the development of the more recent technology that is appropriate to exchange information, and it is known as Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) technology (Jadhav, Patil, Singh, & Patel, 2015).
The idea of developing Li-Fi technology was introduced by Harald Haas, the German expert in communications, in 2011. Haas accentuated the innovativeness and efficiency of Li-Fi because of using light to transmit a signal (Jaiswal & Chopade, 2013). Therefore, much attention should be paid to examining the features of this recent communication technology in contrast to Wi-Fi. It is important to discuss the problem associated with the use of wireless communication technologies, accentuate the goals and significance of this study, present research questions, and review the recent literature on the topic of using Li-Fi.
Problem Formulation
The problem is in the fact that modern organizations require high-speed and widely available communication technologies that should also be secure and efficient in terms of the used resources (Rawat, Aggarwal, & Passi, 2014). The speed of the Internet communicated with the help of Wi-Fi is comparably low, costs are high, and security is limited (Gupta, 2015). Therefore, organizations are interested in using new technologies instead of Wi-Fi. Still, even though Li-Fi is regarded as one of the most recent and high-speed communication technologies, its advantages need to be examined in detail (Bhosale & Vijaykumar, 2016). Furthermore, it is important to pay attention to exploring limitations of this technology to conclude regarding its appropriateness to be used in organizations.
Goals and Significance of the Study
This study aims at identifying the advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi in comparison to Wi-Fi and analyzing possible benefits available to organizations that use Li-Fi. The study is significant because it will provide answers to the questions on the appropriateness of using Li-Fi technology in modern organizational environments. After all, this tendency has become popular in the world (Rawat et al., 2014). Furthermore, the study is significant to provide a complex overview of areas where the technology can be used with the focus on associated advantages and disadvantages to influence the decision of organizations regarding the use of Li-Fi (Bhosale & Vijaykumar, 2016).
Research Questions
To address the study’s goal, it is necessary to find answers to the following research questions:
- Research Question # 1 (RQ1): What are the advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi technology in comparison to Wi-Fi technology?
There are a few studies that discuss features of Li-Fi. More attention should be paid to examining specific qualities of Li-Fi. Therefore, this question is important to contribute to the debates.
- Research Question # 2 (RQ2): What benefits can organizations have while using Li-Fi technology?
The interest in Li-Fi is explained concerning the users’ demand for high-speed and secure Internet. Currently, the main focus is on accentuating the unique benefits of using Li-Fi for the social sector. As a result, to conclude the use of Li-Fi, it is necessary to answer the question regarding its potential benefits for the business sector and organizations as users.
Literature Review
Overview
Li-Fi technology was developed by Haas as a high-speed alternative to Wi-Fi technology, and today, many researchers concentrate on studying this specific communication system. Therefore, it is important to examine the previous research in the field to identify trends and possible gaps in the existing literature on Li-Fi technology and its application. In this literature review, it is necessary to determine researchers’ ideas and positions regarding the principles of working predicted advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi, the comparison of Li-Fi and Wi-Fi, and the application of this new technology.
Visible Light Communication and Principles of Working
The principles of the Li-Fi technology’s work depend on the transmission of data with the help of LED (light-emitting diodes) lamps that include chips. The reason is that it is possible to use the visible light spectrum to receive a signal and transmit data (Jaiswal & Chopade, 2013; Sodhi & Johnson, 2015). From this point, researchers focus on using Visible Light Communication (VLC) as a medium that applies visible light (Bao, Yu, Dai, & Zhu, 2015).
To transmit data, it is necessary to use light that is between 400 THz (780 nm) and 800 THz (375 nm) (Jaiswal & Chopade, 2013). VLC guarantees switching bulbs quickly to make them transmit a signal that is received by a Li-Fi chip (Bao et al., 2015; Sodhi & Johnson, 2015). As a result of using VLC, it is possible to develop Li-Fi as a 5G communication system based on visible light (Jaiswal & Chopade, 2013).
In their study, Sodhi and Johnson (2015) have focused on describing the basic principles of Li-Fi technology’s functioning. The main components of the communication system are LED lamps that need to be turned on, a photo-detector to receive signals, and a server to respond to signals and requests. Still, the focus is also on a light driver that needs to include a baseband modulator, a digital-to-analog converter, and a transconductance amplifier to transmit signals (Sharma & Sanganal, 2014). LED technologies in lamps to transmit a signal to the photo-detector which is converted to spread data for different types of devices (Sodhi & Johnson, 2015).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Li-Fi Technology
Researchers identify many advantages associated with using Li-Fi technology. Jaiswal and Chopade (2013) note that the key advantage of this technology is the possibility to transmit data almost everywhere because of the use of LED lamps not only in offices but also in the streets. According to Sodhi and Johnson (2015), the main advantage is capacity because the visible light spectrum is larger than the radio frequency spectrum used in Wi-Fi. Also, the use of LED lamps guarantees efficiency and the parallel transmission of data at high speed. Furthermore, the focus is on security because the light for transmitting signals can be controlled in contrast to radio waves. This advantage is also accentuated by Gupta (2015) and Jadhav et al. (2015).
However, researchers also identify the disadvantages of this new technology while stating that there are limitations caused by the necessity of using direct lines of light to guarantee the connection between LED lamps and receivers (Bhosale & Vijaykumar, 2016).
To work in different rooms, the source of light should be in each room (Rawat et al., 2014). Jaiswal and Chopade (2013) also emphasize the inability of such signals to overcome obstacles. Even though the advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi technology are actively discussed by investigators, they are inclined to mention the same features, and more research is necessary for this field.
Comparison of Li-Fi and Wi-Fi
The comparison of Li-Fi and Wi-Fi technologies is the main focus of many studies because of the necessity to provide evidence that explains the advantages of Li-Fi in contrast to Wi-Fi. Virk (2015) notes that Wi-Fi is appropriate for providing the Internet for all users in large offices. However, Li-Fi is more efficient to work with the high-density data, as it is noted by Jaiswal and Chopade (2013).
Sharma and Sanganal (2014) also pay attention to the fact that Wi-Fi can transmit large volumes of data, but the speed can be reduced because of the system’s weaknesses. Currently, the Wi-Fi spectrum can guarantee the use of only 3G and 4G systems when the use of a 5G system is possible with the focus on Li-Fi (Sodhi & Johnson, 2015). Furthermore, the availability of signals for Li-Fi and Wi-Fi is a matter of debate because there are both advantages and disadvantages typical of both systems. Also, Wi-Fi is viewed as less secure than Li-Fi (Gupta, 2015).
Application of Li-Fi Technology
Researchers identify a variety of areas where it is possible to apply Li-Fi technology. Sodhi and Johnson (2015) accentuate the appropriateness of Li-Fi for using in streets because of the availability of traffic and street lights. Much attention is also paid to using Li-Fi not only in offices but also in healthcare facilities. It is possible to organize navigation in hospitals and the use of Li-Fi in operating rooms where the focus on Wi-Fi is impossible because of radio waves’ effects (Jaiswal & Chopade, 2013).
The use of mobile phones and Wi-Fi is also prohibited at oil and gas stations and different types of plants, including chemical ones, as well as aboard during flights. This problem can be resolved with the help of Li-Fi (Jadhav et al., 2015). Furthermore, the use of Wi-Fi is impossible underwater, and this problem can be addressed while using powerful lamps for transmitting signals.
Summary
Li-Fi technology is based on the application of a VLC system that enables users to receive and share data in any location where the LED lamp is visible, and there are no obstacles for light to transmit signals. As a result, it is possible to speak about technology’s high efficiency, capacity, and security while comparing it to Wi-Fi technology. Still, many advantages of Li-Fi have not been determined or accentuated yet, and it is important to focus more on the real effectiveness of Li-Fi in comparison to Wi-Fi. Furthermore, researchers are inclined to concentrate on such opportunities for the technology’s application as the use at plants, underwater use, and the use in healthcare organizations among other options. However, it is also important to focus on utilizing Li-Fi in offices of different organizations because the principles of Li-Fi technology’s work differ from the principles of Wi-Fi technology significantly.
References
Bao, X., Yu, G., Dai, J., & Zhu, X. (2015). Li-Fi: Light fidelity-a survey. Wireless Networks, 21(6), 1879-1889.
Bhosale, V., & Vijaykumar, S. (2016). Enhancing the application of visible light communication in organization using Li-Fi. International Journal of Scientific Research, 5(6), 12-25.
Gupta, S. U. (2015). Research on Li-Fi technology and comparison of Li-Fi/Wi-Fi. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering, 5(6), 429-433.
Jadhav, D., Patil, S., Singh, R., & Patel, K. (2015). Li-Fi (Light Fidelity): Efficient use of visible spectrum. International Journal of Engineering Science Invention, 4(3), 77-81.
Jaiswal, N. S., & Chopade, P. S. (2013). Review of Li-Fi technology: New future technology – light bulb to access the Internet. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4(12), 36-40.
Rawat, B. S., Aggarwal, B., & Passi, D. (2014). Li-Fi: A new era of wireless communication data sharing. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 3(10), 118-120.
Sharma, R. R., & Sanganal, A. (2014). Li-Fi technology: Transmission of data through light. International Journal of Computer Technology and Applications, 5(1), 150-154.
Sodhi, A., & Johnson, J. (2015). Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) – the future of visible light communication. International Journal of Engineering Research and General Science, 3(2), 117-128.
Virk, G. K. (2015). Li-Fi: A new communication mechanism. International Journal of Computer Applications, 118(15), 1-12.