🔆LI-FI ✅ Li-Fi, or light fidelity, is a Visible Light Communications (VLC) system. ✅ Unlike Wi-Fi, which uses radio waves, Li-Fi runs on visible light. ✅ It transmits data at terabits per second speeds — more than 100 times the speed of Wi-Fi. ✅ It accommodates a photo-detector to receive light signals and a signal processing element to convert the data into ‘stream-able’ content. ADVANTAGES OF LIFI ✅ Li-Fi could make a huge impact on the internet of things, with data transferred at much higher levels with even more devices able to connect to one another. ✅ Due to its shorter range, Li-Fi is more secure than Wi-Fi. ✅ Li-Fi systems consume less power. DISADVANTAGES OF LIFI ✅ Main challenge is to create a Li-Fi ecosystem, which will need conversion of existing smartphones into Li-Fi enabled ones by the use of a converter/adapter. ✅ Visual light can’t pass through opaque objects and needs line of sight for communication. ✅ Interference from external light sources, such as sunlight and bulbs. POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF LIFI ✅ Li-Fi can be used in street & traffic lights. Traffic lights can communicate to vehicles and with each other. ✅Through use of Li-Fi, traffic control can be made intelligent and real-time adaptable. Each traffic and street light post can be converted into access points to convert roadsides into wireless hotspots. ✅ Vehicles having LED-based headlights and tail lamps can communicate with each other and prevent accidents by exchanging information. ✅ Visible light being safer, they can also be used in places where radio waves can’t be used such as petrochemical and nuclear plants and hospitals. ✅ They can be used in aircraft, where most of control communication is performed through radio waves. ✅ Li-Fi can easily work underwater, where Wi-Fi fails completely, thereby throwing open endless opportunities for military & navigational operations. ✅ Transmitting power wirelessly, wherein smartphones will not only receive data through Li-Fi, but will also receive power to charge itself. #science_and_technology #prelims Join @CSE_EXAM @upsc_science_and_technology