MoD funded a start-up under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) to secure Li-Fi technology for the Indian Defence sector, particularly focusing on the Navy.
- iDEX fosters innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace sector.
- Managed by Defence Innovation Organization under MoD.
About Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) Technology
- A bidirectional wireless system that uses visible light (400-800 Terahertz) for communication, unlike Wi-Fi which uses radio waves.
- Transmits data with the help of Light Emitting Diode (LED).
- Working:
- On/off activity of the LED transmitter enables data transmission in accordance with the incoming binary codes (switching ON is a logical '1', switching it OFF is a logical '0').
- Applications: Aircrafts, hospitals (operation theatres), power plants etc. where electromagnetic (Radio) interference creates security issues.
Advantage of Li-Fi over Wi-Fi
- Faster: Combination of low interference, high bandwidths provide high data rate.
- Cheaper and sustainable: It is up to 10 times cheaper than Wi-Fi, requires fewer components and uses less energy.
- Secure: Since light does not pass through walls like radio waves do, it prevents interception.
Disadvantages
- Much shorter range than Wi-Fi
- Can’t be accessed beyond the illumination range of light, etc.
