150 Mpbs internet connection via light bulb

[crockett]

Chinese scientists have managed to create a LI Fi internet connection via light bulbs that will be able to handle up to 150 Mpbs.


http://www.zdnet.com/cn/china-achiev...bs-7000022108/

Chinese scientists have made headway with successful experiments using Li-Fi technology, where wireless signals are sent by lightbulbs, according to Xinhua News.

Four computers under a one-watt LED lightbulb may connect to the Internet under the principle that light can be used as a carrier instead of traditional radio frequencies, said Chi Nan, an IT professor at Shanghai's Fudan University.

She explained a lightbulb with embedded microchips can produce data rates as fast as 150 Mbps, much higher than the average broadband connection in China.

Current wireless signal transmission equipment is expensive and low in efficiency, noted Chi in the article. "As for cell phones, millions of base stations have been established around the world to strengthen the signal but most of the energy is consumed on their cooling systems," she explained, but noted the energy utilization rate was only 5 percent."

However, Chi noted there was still a long way to go in making Li-Fi commercially successful. "If the light is blocked, then the signal will be cut off," she explained. The professor added the development of key related technologies were still in the experimental phase, such as light communication controls, microchip design and manufacturing.

The term Li-Fi was coined as early as 2011 by Harald Haas, a professor of engineering at Edinburgh University, with the name standing for "light-fidelity". The technology made use of LED bulbs that glow and darken faster than the human eye can see, and LED lights being semiconductors could be programmable.

Haas had suggested that the applications and capacity for data would be limitless, ranging from using car headlights to transmit data, or employing line of sight light sources as data transmitters.

Meanwhile US scientists govt funding is still sequestered..

[MaDalton]

pfff - old news

[crockett]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

pfff - old news

Not quite a 150 Mpbs connection..

[MaDalton]

Originally Posted by crockett

Not quite a 150 Mpbs connection..

after 3 red bull...

[JockoHomo]

The Egyptians did that over 2000 years ago.

[marlboroack]

Sell me the lightbulb then.

[Barry-xlovecam]

Sounds like a "line of sight" issue that cannot be resolved as light does not penetrate solid objects but in one room applications (read: Internet café, some public hot-spots) is has merit.

Right now they can use electric wires for high-speed internet. Every wall plug in your home or business could give you internet access.

The basic research dollars in the US should go in that direction but who is blocking the spending? The incumbent internet carriers lobbying their congressional and regulatory lackeys.

[NinjaSteve]

Flock of birds flies through the light. Upload failed. Damn!