Li-Fi Use Cases

In order to ensure an permanently available and more flexible flows of goods, intralogistics industry increasingly employs automated solutions. Automated guided vehicles (AGV) are usually connected via WLAN or other radio-based communication technologies with the vehicle or route administration or any other control systems. However, many parallel participants in a radio-based network can cause interference and affect the reliability of data links.

With the use of Li-Fi as optical data transmission technology, stable interference-free data links can be set up, thus ensuring secure data transmission at all times. With Li-Fi, the parallel operation of many vehicles all using the same stable bandwidth can be realized.

Status/Maturity Level: in production

Li-Fi development services:

• Optics and transceiver development
• Module integration
• System Setup
• Characterization & Test
• Manufacturing support
• Customer support

IP phones, telephones working over internet protocol, have almost completely replaced analog and ISDN devices. These devices are usually connected through CAT5 cables to a router or switch to data network and often receive operating power via Ethernet (Power over Ethernet). However, in some areas it is not possible to use cables or radio-based wireless technologies. Therefore, optical data links can replace cables and other data links. Using Li-Fi as an optical data transmission technology interference-free and secure data links can be established.

Li-Fi development services:

• Technology consulting
• Feasibility studies and proof of concepts
• Concept design
• Module and system development: 
•     - Optics and transceiver development
•     - Module integration
•     - System Setup
•     - Characterization & Test
• Prototype and demonstrator construction
• Characterization and test
• Pilot & small scale production
• Technology transfer

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V) is fundamental to innovations like autonomous driving and platooning concepts. So far, radio-based methods such as WLAN (IEEE 802.11p) are used. This technology is well-proven and allows high data rates. However, these standard also have its weaknesses such as a limited frequency range, easily manipulable signals and electromagnetic compatibility. Alternative communication channels to supplement the systems are therefore in demand. Instead of radio waves, Li-Fi uses light sources like LEDs and modulates them. The emitted signals are picked up by a photodiode.
The real-time capable technology Li-Fi, with latencies in microsecond range, could be a  redundant channel to WLAN. Also conceivable is a distribution of tasks. In addition to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) there would then be Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) as a communication channel for connected vehicles.

Our services

• Li-Fi Workshop
• Technology Consulting
• Concept Development
• Hardware and Module Design
• Pilot Production

Modern flexible production lines with mobile robots and tools, each production cell and machine connected to the cloud and linked to each other. These are Industry 4.0 and M2M scenarios, which all require one thing: secure and wireless communication. Li-Fi HotSpots using the spectrum of light instead of radio to transmit data. Compared to radio frequency, this optical technology is fundamentally protected from electromagnetic interference, tap-proof, real-time capable in a microsecond range and provides data rates up to 1 Gbit / s. These factors predestine optical communication for industrial wireless communication. Li-Fi can be used in areas where even industry's Wi-Fi access points reach their limits. The local diversity also simplifies network planning, complex antenna planning and alignment is no longer necessary.

Our Services

• Optics and transceiver development
• Module integration
• System Setup
• Characterization & Test
• Pilot fabrication
• Customer support

Data interfaces between rotating and static components are one of the biggest challenges in industrial data transmission. Usually slip rings are used for such use cases. Typical application of such rotary transmitters can be found in wind turbines, helicopters and industrial robots. Contact-based slip rings often reach their limits due to material restrictions while contactless solutions are either very cost-intensive or prone to interferences. Li-Fi GigaDock® transceivers can transfer data rates up to 12.5 Gbps contactless and in 360 degrees rotation and are therefore well suited to use it as a rotary joint. Since they transmit data optically, they are also almost interference-free, as well as wear-free.

Li-Fi development services

• Optics and transceiver development
• Module Integration
• System Setup
• Characterization & Test
• Pilot production
• Customer Support

Currently, classic connection technologies such as connectors and trailing cables are mainly used to connect machines and robots to data communication. In addition to the lack of flexibility, the continuous mechanical contact causes wear on the components. Compared to hardwiring connectors, plug-in connctors allow links to be disconnected - a major benefit for repair, maintenance and modernization. However, the connectors are often limited in their plugging cycles, also frequent plugging can lead to altered transmission characteristics. The optical data transmission technology Li-Fi can serve as a contactless connector or as a cable replacement and thereby transmits high data rates in the gigabit range. The contactless connection technology is virtually wear-free and interference-free and is suitable for use in explosion-hazard zones.

Li-Fi R&D services

• Technology Consulting
• Concept Development
• Hardware and Module Design
• Pilot Production