The Functions of Li-Fi

This 42 floor skyscraper in Toronto that is currently under construction is being equipped with a building automation system (Internet based) that tenants can use for things such as lighting controls, HVAC, and security access. This is “provided they make their individual LED lights IP addressable”.

Owners Oxford Properties are offering Internet-controlled smart lighting and building systems as an option to tenants at EY Tower. (Source: Oxford Properties.)

This property symbolizes that more industries are seeing the potential of lighting’s future in the world of internet. In new construction, it has the potential to lower costs associated with wiring and electrical work.

Outside, li-fi will also have an impact. Even when it might appear to our eyes that street lamps have turned off during they day, they are still able to provide data communication. This means that there will be no more need for cellular towers to be put up in our cities, as street lights can provide not only light during the evening hours, but high speed data 24/7.

Li-fi will have uses in a wide variety of settings. In a museum or art gallery, for example, a visitor will be able to download additional information about the exhibit they are viewing from the lighting used to highlight that piece.

Light can penetrate farther than radio waves, making li-fi a perfect match for communication between divers as well as underwater rigs. From underwater to up in the clouds, li-fi will have an impact. On airplanes it will mean that passengers will not have to worry about shutting their devices down at times because with this new technology there is no electromagnetic interference.

LED lights are already being used in many cars, which will make car-to-car communication possible, allowing for exchange of driving conditions. Traffic lights will also be able to communicate and update the network on traffic conditions.

Sources:

www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/2016/08/smart-lighting-system-rises-at-toronto-skyscraper-with-ip-addressable-leds-and-a-real-estate-push.html; www.lifi-centre.com/about-li-fi-/applications/