Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems
LiFi Power over Light (PoL)
Li-Fi PoL (Power-over-Light) is a compact, self-sufficient sensor platform that combines wireless optical data communication with energy autonomy. Powered by ambient light or, optionally, optical wireless power transfer, Li-Fi PoL eliminates the need for batteries and RF communication, making it ideal for sensitive or RF-restricted environments. Data is exchanged bidirectionally via a Li-Fi TinySpot interface at typical rates of 10 Mbit/s over distances of up to 1 m. The system supports various sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure, light, and vibration within a compact footprint of approximately 50 × 50 mm². Fully eye-safe (laser class 1), Li-Fi PoL enables maintenance-free sensor solutions for industrial, medical, and IoT applications.
A specific application is its integration into Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS), where Li-Fi PoL enables energy-autonomous and wireless condition monitoring of components. By continuously capturing operational data such as vibrations, temperature, or mechanical loads, HUMS supports early fault detection, predictive maintenance, and increased operational safety – especially in hard-to-access or RF-sensitive environments.
Features
- Self-sufficient sensor nodes:
- Powered by ambient light or optical wireless power transfer
- Wireless data transfer via a Li-Fi interface (Li-Fi TinySpot)
- No need radio-frequency communications
- Safe & secure
- Supported sensor types:
- Temperature, humidity, pressure, light, shock / vibration,…
- Bidirectional, optical wireless data interface
- Data rate: typ. 10 Mbps, more on request
- Small size (approx. 50 x 50 mm²)
- Range: 1m
- Laser Safety Class 1 (Eye Safe)
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