I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ed Huibers – Head of Business Development LiFi-systems at Signify (formerly Philips Lighting). The topic: Light Fidelity wireless network communication, or Li-Fi. The interview informed an article I wrote for the December 2018 issue of tED Magazine.

DiLouie: How would you define Li-Fi? What are its benefits and potential applications?

Huibers: Li-Fi, or Light Fidelity, can be seen as the Lighting equivalent of WiFi. Instead of using radio-waves to communicate, LiFi uses light-waves.

LiFi is a viable option where WiFi is overloaded or there’s interference from multiple WiFi networks, in locations where radio waves are not allowed and/or not preferred because of security reasons, such as a government building or financial institution.

We are still in the early stages, but we are already seeing interest in new applications and enormous potential for LiFi to provide value beyond illumination.

DiLouie: How does it work? What specialized equipment is required?

Huibers: LiFi provides a bi-directional connection. The LED luminaires are fitted with a “LiFi modem,” which enables modulation of the light at frequencies that are imperceptible to the human eye, and converts the network data to a photonic signal.

On the receiving end, a laptop or other mobile device would then attach a dongle that houses a photoreceptor to receive the signal, and a decoder to convert the data from photonic to electronic.

For the uplink the same principle is applied, but using infrared light instead of visible light. This combination enables the mobile device to send and receive the data.

DiLouie: What technical advances have been achieved in the past 3-5 years making it more practical? What technical, standards, or other hurdles need to be achieved before rapid adoption can be achieved?

Huibers: In the last few years, we have been developing the LiFi technology itself, but also on optics which makes a good coverage zone, and stable connection possible. Rapid adoption will be positively influenced by standardization of the technology, so device makers can integrate the technology directly into laptops, tablets and other mobile devices.

DiLouie: Where do you see Li-Fi as a standalone solution and where do you see it complementing Wi-Fi? What would a combined system look like?

Huibers: In many cases, we will see combinations of the two, where LiFi can fill the gaps, but also offload from WiFi.

In some applications today where no wireless systems are used, because of security or safety reasons, LiFi would compliment LAN connectivity.

DiLouie: Is existing infrastructure for data delivery to the lights sufficient with a Li-Fi installation or does the backhaul infrastructure typically require evaluation and possible upgrade?

Huibers: The backhaul does not require changes. Just connecting the LiFi luminaire to the existing LAN system will be enough.

DiLouie: How do you see Li-Fi rolling out in the United States? Who will be early adopters? How quickly will it be adopted? What is the potential for retrofit as well as new construction?

Huibers: Together with our customers, we are currently in discussion or setting up pilots all around the world, including the US, to let the end-users experience the benefits of LiFi. These small-scale pilots will give the customer the opportunity to evaluate LiFi technology, learn about the use cases and potential infrastructure for their future renovations or new-builds.

While we cannot specifically quantify the opportunity now, the proliferation of wireless devices combined with the growing demand for data, we are confident about the potential growth opportunity for LiFi.

DiLouie: What specialized knowledge will electrical distributors require to properly recommend products and otherwise engage customers? Will they need to change any practices, such as working more with IT departments?

Huibers: Exactly! IT is responsible for delivering connectivity nowadays. To enable LiFi, there needs to be close cooperation and collaboration between lighting and IT.

DiLouie: What limitations may exist affecting utilization or installation of a Li-Fi-enabled system? Are there any tradeoffs in performance or difficulties in installation, startup, operation?

Huibers: All wireless and wired systems come with different limitations and upsides, therefore the best strategy is to approach as an ecosystem in which the different systems can complement each other.

DiLouie: If you could tell the U.S. electrical industry just one thing about Li-Fi, what would it be?

Huibers: For us, LiFi is an exciting extension and additional use of lighting infrastructure. Lighting is a ubiquitous, powered and reliable fixture everywhere people live, work and interact. Now lighting can even connect you to the internet/networks. It is not a competitor of WiFi. Rather it is a different technology that when combined with WiFi can improve network access.

DiLouie: Is there anything else you’d like to add about this topic?

Huibers: LiFi is burgeoning new technology which truly makes light an intelligent language that conveys meaning and delivers value beyond illumination.

Craig DiLouie

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