Mobile Command Posts (MCPs) are crucial organizational facilities that combine faculty, commanders, equipment and information systems in a military setting. They are established pivotal posts in military and emergency operations, where reliable and fast communication from commanders to ground teams is critical. Light fidelity (LiFi) technology is a wireless communications technology that is gaining immense momentum in enhancing these communication systems for an army mobile command post due to its modular nature and easy implementation. 

Oledcomm is developing an innovative LiFi system fit for all remote and mobile military operations, and with it, dispersing information exploring the key benefits of integrating LiFi technology into MCPs, making comparisons with traditional WiFi, and planning for a future of this innovation in military applications.

What is LiFi Technology?

LiFi, short for Light Fidelity, is a wireless communication technology that uses light waves to transmit data. Unlike traditional wireless systems such as WiFi, which rely on radio frequencies, LiFi operates using light from LED bulbs to send data from an access point to a LiFi enabled device. The light emitted by these bulbs can be modulated at speeds imperceptible to the human eye, allowing for the transmission of vast amounts of data very quickly. Photodetectors in LiFi enabled devices receive the light signals and convert them back into electronic data, thus enabling incredibly high-speed wireless communication.

LiFi offers several advantages over conventional wireless technologies for even hard-to-reach locations, like a mobile command post. It guarantees higher data transmission speeds, enhanced security, and the ability to work in environments where radio frequencies are restricted or prone to interference. These attributes make LiFi particularly attractive for use in sensitive or mission-critical environments that determine the state of national security. These missions may be transmitting information surrounding situation and intelligence reports, viewing airspace, and monitoring ground activity, like in a military mobile command post, and therefore are intended to remain secure.

The Importance of Communication in a Mobile Command Post

A Mobile Command Post (MCP) is essentially a mobile unit equipped with communication tools to manage operations in the field, often during military exercises, disaster response, or emergency situations. Extensive training goes into military response protocols, and therefore, a wireless communication system that is equal in readiness is paramount. Military mobile command posts are the core of operations - from coordination to directing field teams, issuing commands to relaying real-time information pertaining to threats.

In an MCP, or military command post, seamless and secure communication is crucial for decision-making that could mean life or death. Commanders need immediate access to large volumes of data pertaining to intelligence, surveillance, weather, or reports from the ground. Any delay in communication or data transmission has been found to result in mission failure and safety risks; therefore, having a reliable, fast, and leak-free communication system is necessary in high-stakes environments like remote military operations. With such large volumes of critical data passing through hostile environments, conventional technologies like WiFi sometimes struggle to meet all the crucial connectivity requirements. LiFi was designed to quell all these struggles, and alleviate the threat of disconnection, amidst all the other incredibly pressing threats inside a mobile command post. 

Key Benefits of LiFi in Mobile Command

Posts

Unprecedented Speed in Data Transfer: One of the most significant benefits of LiFi in mobile command posts is its data transmission speed. LiFi can deliver high data transmission speeds that are also stable in nature. In military operations, where large amounts of data, such as high-definition video feeds or critical tactical information, need to be transferred quickly, the speed of LiFi could make all the difference.

Gridlock Security: The security of information provided by Oledcomm’s light fidelity technology in military communications can mean that sensitive data pertaining to mission security is held close. Since LiFi relies on light for data transmission, it provides a level of security that WiFi cannot match. Light signals cannot penetrate walls, making it difficult for potential adversaries to intercept communications, and this controlled line-of-sight requirement adds an extra layer of protection against cyber threats and eavesdropping from outside a military mobile command post.

Minimal Radio Frequency Interference: Mobile Command Posts can be  deployed in environments saturated with radio frequencies (RF). With multiple devices and communication systems relying on RF, interference is a common issue. LiFi sidesteps this challenge by using the visible light spectrum and avoids the RF spectrum completely. 

Improved mobility and logistics: Mobile command posts typically use cables for communication as it’s more secure than WiFi. However, transporting and setting up these cables can be quite time-consuming. For instance, it takes 1 hour to set up a 30m2 tent using cables. On the other hand, the same task would take just 20 minutes with LiFi. Moreover, there are minimal logistical challenges with using LiFi since you don’t need to transport tons of cables.

LiFi vs. WiFi in Mobile Command Posts: A Comparison

We compared attributes of LiFi and WiFi and found several key differences that demonstrate why LiFi is an attractive alternative in mission-critical environments and  Mobile Command Posts:

While WiFi offers a broader range and is more widely available, LiFi provides higher speeds, more secure communication, and the ability to work in standard RF-congested environments.  LiFi stands out as a superior option in many scenarios because it is a new innovation in the realm of wireless transmission, therefore less commonly utilized.

Future of LiFi in Military Applications

The future of LiFi in military and defense operations is promising. Beyond MCPs, LiFi has potential applications in secure communication between naval vessels, aircraft, and even in space communications. Additionally, LiFi’s implementation and infrastructure is becoming more and more cost-effective. Military operations that pursue this wireless connectivity option are looking at taking an advanced step in wireless communications, potentially before adversaries.

Hybrid communication systems in military operations that combine the strengths of both LiFi and WiFi or cables are also on the horizon, as LiFi is designed to be an interoperable system compatible with existing wireless infrastructure. The evolution of LiFi technology has also been incorporated into existing lighting systems in military bases or vehicles, as already installed lighting systems can be leveraged with products such as SOLERIS by Oledcomm. SOLERIS is a wireless system that can be enabled remotely without the use of physical cables. It creates a vast network connection, and is immune to interception by outside radio frequency communications. The incredibly portable access points and lightweight nature of the few pieces of hardware necessary to operate the technology is a major benefit of the system in a military mobile command post and applications where portable infrastructure is necessary. 

Conclusion

LiFi technology brings numerous benefits to Mobile Command Centers, offering high-speed data transfer, enhanced security, and immunity to radio frequency interference by adversaries. While WiFi continues to play a critical role in communication and can be utilized adjacent to the budding technology, LiFi has been specially designed to combat some of the connectivity issues presented by its predecessor. LiFi’s ever-evolving, portable nature will make it a key contributor to the success of military missions and mobile communications down the line.