Why IEEE's Approval of 802.11bb Frequency Standard for LiFi is a Game Changer

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has taken a revolutionary step for the future of wireless Internet standards and approved the 802.11bb standard for Light Fidelity, also known as LiFi.

How does LiFi work?

Lifi technology is set to revolutionize the way we connect to the Internet by using light waves to transmit data. LiFi aims to ease the ever-increasing load placed on the radio spectrum by promising faster internet speeds and greater accessibility through near-infrared light, opening the door to a new era of connectivity. Let's dive into Li-Fi technology, the importance of 802.11bb, and the exciting prospects that light fidelity brings to the world of wireless communication.

1. LiFi: fast, secure, innovative

Li-Fi Internet is a wireless communications technology that uses visible light or the infrared spectrum to transmit data, as opposed to the traditional radio frequency spectrum used in WiFi. This innovation uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to modulate light signals at high speed, enabling data transmission via light waves. Lifi technology has several advantages over conventional WiFi, including increased data transfer rates, enhanced security, and reduced electromagnetic interference.

The unprecedented light speed of the Internet is one of the most attractive features of this wireless innovation. Unlike radio frequency signals, which can be subject to interference and clutter, light waves travel at the speed of light. This feature allows LiFi to achieve higher data transfer rates than traditional WiFi, as the wireless data transfer technology offers a theoretical throughput of a minimum of 10 Mb/s and a maximum of 9.6 Gb/s. In practical applications, the output of IEEE 802.11bb can enable seamless streaming, lightning-fast downloads, and virtually lag-free online experiences simply using a building's lighting system or dedicated access points.

2. Connection to frequency and data transport

Discussing the speed of LiFi can be simplified into a visualization exercise: the "band" can be approximated in the visible light spectrum from the 380 nanometers (nm) of violet light to the 750 nm of red light, and therefore refers to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can transmit data across the wavelengths of light signals. LiFi technologies are related to the concept of lightband because different frequencies, including the 802.11bb frequency when used for data transfer, vary in the speed at which they are transferred and determine the amount of data they are capable of transferring.

3. Lightweight communication from a developer perspective

The 802.11bb standard marks a real milestone for the LiFi Internet, as the 802.11bb standard establishes the guidelines and specifications for the implementation of LiFi communications systems, ensuring interoperability and consistency between devices. “The IEEE 802.11bb standard is a critical step in enabling interoperability across multiple vendors. It enables LiFi solutions within the Wi-Fi ecosystem for the first time,” explains Volker Jungnickel, technical editor of the Fraunhofer HHI, who played a considerable role in the development of the technology. “This is essential for the development of new and innovative applications. LiFi can replace cables with short-range optical wireless links and connect many sensors and actuators to the Internet. We believe this will create a future mass market.

The 802.11 bb standard also defines advanced modulation and multiplexing techniques that optimize the use of the light spectrum for data transmission. Jungnickel explains how the released LiFi standard reuses the 802.11 medium access control (MAC) layer and existing ODFM-based physical layers (PHY) on optimal links, intended for high-volume applications. Learn more about the relationships between lightweight communications standards and see how 802.11bb fits into the 802.11 standards table in this 59-page PDF,courtesy of the IEEE Working Group.

4. More data, increased coverage and interoperability

Since LiFi Internet aims to optimize wireless protocols, a key feature of the 802.11bb standard is spatial multiplexing or spatial division multiplexing (SM, SDM or SMX), which improves the capacity of light fidelity systems. This technique involves the simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams using multiple light sources or antennas. By managing spatial resources, LiFi devices implementing 802.11bb can achieve greater data throughput and support a greater number of connected devices within the coverage area.

The unveiling of 802.11bb also addressed concerns about signal interference, as wireless Internet standards include provisions for interference mitigation and interoperability with other wireless technologies. This ensures that LiFi systems can operate harmoniously in environments with multiple light sources or in conjunction with existing WiFi networks.

The standard's robust safety features are clearly aimed at also minimizing the impact of external factors on LiFi performance. To protect LiFi networks, the standard integrates encryption protocols, authentication mechanisms and secure key exchange procedures. Contact us to find out how Oledcomm LiFi devices could improve your wireless connectivity and security.

A high standard for the way forward

The IEEE's approval of the 802.11bb standard marks a significant step forward in the evolution of light fidelity technology, because as we look to the future, Li-Fi has the potential to redefine the way we connect to the global network. The 802.11bb standard paves the way for widespread adoption of LiFi, demonstrating itsrelevance in various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, smart cities and beyond.

As researchers and engineers continue to explore the possibilities of Li-Fi, the 802.11 bb standard will serve as a guiding framework, ensuring that Li-Fi implementations adhere to a common set of specifications. With the promise of faster internet speeds and a more connected world, Li-Fi informed by 802.11 bb is set to play a central role in shaping the future of wireless communication.

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