In the IoT, power is an issue. Especially in terms of getting power to distributed network hubs and sensors. Meanwhile, lighting systems are at the forefront of smart building and city implementations all over the world.
Bringing these two paradigms together, and in partnership with Scottish company PureLiFi, Lucibel has introduced what it says is the world's first industrialized LiFi solution. LiFi, or Light Fidelity, is a communication technology through modulated LED light that enables data exchange between a specific LED lighting fixture and a computer, making Internet access possible. Lucibel introduced a prototype in June of 2015, and now has quadrupled the performance of this bidirectional broadband connection since then. The reception of data transmitted by the lighting fixture is done via a LiFi USB key.
Communication through light has existed for several years, but so far only low speed unidirectional versions have been created, mostly used for the deployment of indoor geolocation applications.
This new LiFi technology is a possible alternative to Wifi, especially for Smart Buildings. Lucibel is positioning LiFi as one of the broadband connection technologies that will enable the development of IOT.
“The production of this LiFi solution in France forms part of Lucibel’s new industrial strategy implemented for over 2 years,” said Edouard Lebrun, Chief Innovation Officer, Lucibel. “Indeed, thanks to the relocation of its manufacturing facility in France, Lucibel has been able to co-develop, industrialize and market its LiFi solution in less than 15 months, which makes it the only solution on the market easily integratable into a building.”
Some major companies are on board already, including Nexity, a French real estate company, which is the first end user of the industrialized LiFi luminaire. “The innovation strategy of Nexity is illustrated by a will to meet the needs of occupants for connected living and work spaces, flexible and oriented to their well-being,” said Loïc Daniel, Deputy CEO of Nexity Business Property. “We congratulate ourselves on this approach of co-innovation with a company as Lucibel, who will be a supplier of new solutions for the real estate of tomorrow.”
Microsoft is also implementing the LiFi solution at its innovation center in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
LiFi works by connecting a RJ45 wire to a lighting fixture and a LiFi key is connected to the computer USB port. The LiFi solution by Lucibel enables the deployment of a complete wireless network through bidirectional transmission at about 42 Mbps.
And that’s a heavy new tech in light.
Edited by
Alicia Young
