LiFi and Hybrid WiFi/LiFi indoor networking: From theory to practice

Abstract

Light fidelity (LiFi) is a wireless optical communication (WOC) technology that holds the key to solving the challenges of 5th and higher generation mobile networks. LiFi is a two-way wireless communication technology that enables high-speed transmission on both up and down links simultaneously. Today, researchers and manufacturers consider LiFi technology as an essential solution for radio frequency (RF) spectrum limitation due to growing demand of Internet users. In addition, integration of various communication technologies such as wireless fidelity (WiFi) and LiFi can help to overcome the traffic restriction challenge caused by the growing demand of Internet users. Although LiFi provides high-speed data transfer capability, it has some weaknesses such as coverage. So, hybrid WiFi/LiFi network can uses fast data transfer from LiFi and wide coverage from WiFi. Their integration can complement the shortcomings of each of these technologies and increases the network performance. In this work, while describing LiFi theory, the recent studies in this field are presented. Theoretical and practical concepts of LiFi-based indoor networks, issues such as network structures, cell deployment models, modulation techniques, multiple access schemes, criteria for measuring network performance, and scenario-based architectures for implementing a real LiFi-based indoor network based on up-to-date equipment manufactured by some LiFi manufacturers are discussed in detail.