Computer, game console, smartphone, audio player and also
camera, they all won't be complete without the presence of Wi-Fi feature. By
connecting to the access point, we can enjoy the 'miracle' of internet. But
unfortunately due to lack of infrastructure, not all locations can be reached
by Wi-Fi.
The term of smart lights may be quite familiar in this
modern time, but have you ever heard about a bulb that can connect you to the
internet? Professor Maite Brandt-Pearce and her scientist colleagues of Charles
L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering graduates are
developing this technology. They have interesting premise: high-speed internet
connection with lights.
The Professor, Mohammad Noshad, and Jie Lian managed to find
a method to harness the lights waves that are issued by Light Emitting Diode,
or LED, and then connect them to the wireless device. Each bulb is able to present
the data transfer speed of 300 Mbps (Megabits, about 37,5MB per second). It
means that the access number can be bigger and personal, as well as presents a
safer alternative than the standard Wi-Fi.
Brandt-Pearce explains, they develop a modulation algorithm
which speeds up the data flow in visible light communication. The data
transmission doesn't require an additional power source - just need energy for
powering the bulb. And the more LED lights are used, the more access points
will be available.
So what if there are two or more people in one room? That's
where the role of Jie Lian is needed. His job is to work on multi-user system,
as well as to make the bulbs can cooperate with one another, and send the data
to the users. The quality of lights should also be maintained so that everyone can
get optimum connections. Furthermore, only need to prepare LED signals reader
software on the computer.
Although the internet LED light is very unique, Professor
Brandt-Pearce insists that its function is not to replace Wi-Fi, but an upgrade
called Li-Fi. This invention can be used in a variety of optical devices, make
sure to be easily adopted by consumers, as well as presenting a better quality
than radio waves.
Noshad and Brandt-Pearce have filed patent, while
establishing a company named VLNComm, short for Visible Light Network
Communications. VLNComm itself has attracted a number of investors, even
reportedly that they have received funding from the Small Business Innovation
Research program.