pureLiFi, a developer of Li-Fi a wireless communication technology based on visible light communication, has improved data transfer rates from 5Mbps originally to 10Mbps and further to 40Mbps, making Li-Fi a technological complement to Wi-Fi, according to Digitimes Research.
In comparison with Wi-Fi, Li-Fi has disadvantages of higher cost, immature technology, short transmission distances (about three meters only) and inability to penetrate walls, and therefore can only complement Wi-Fi, Digitimes Research indicated.
pureLiFi, spun off from the University of Edinburgh in the UK in 2012, unveiled its first-generation technology Li-ist in 2014, second-generation Li-Flame in 2015, and third-generation LiFi-X in 2016. LiFi-X APs (access points) support PoE (power over Ethernet), PLC (power line communication) and LED lighting products.
While there are no significant commercial uses for Li-Fi and no large hardware ODMs or OEMs have adopted it, Li-Fi became the IEEE 802.15.7 standard in 2014 and is expected to see nice market usage in underwater communications as well as inside hospitals and passenger airplanes which are sensitive to interference from radio signals.
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