Li-Fi, the wireless transmission of data via light, provides real-time communication for a variety of applications. Fraunhofer IPMS specialists will present various Li-Fi technologies for real-time requirements to the professional public during this year's electronica trade fair and conference in Munich from November 13-16, 2018.
Dresden, November 5, 2018.
Data, data and more data. In addition to industrial applications known as Industry 4.0, Smart Factory and IoT, social changes are playing more of a role. Today, more than 50% of the world's population lives in cities. To avoid, for example traffic chaos, smart cities of tomorrow need new concepts based on networking different transport options. Modern processes such as these produce increasingly more data and real-time transmission is key for many applications. This challenges current wireless radio-based data transmission methods, especially in cities with high cell density. Li-Fi optical wireless data transmission should provide an interference-free, fast, and secure alternative to relieve existing and future wireless networks. But what about real-time transfer?
Fraunhofer IPMS Group Leader of Optical Systems, Dr. Alexander Noack explains, „When we talk about real-time, we often mean data transmission without any time delay. In reality, however, there are always delays called latencies. Various time delays are tolerated depending on the application. We have now tailored our Li-Fi modules according to different requirements to make it easier for system developers to choose the appropriate technology.“
Fraunhofer IPMS has been developing Li-Fi for technologies for a wide range of applications and real-time requirements for years. In addition to the Li-Fi GigaDock®, created for the purpose of short range transmission with very high data rates (10 cm to12.5 Gbit/s) and very low latency times, so-called Li-Fi HotSpot modules with longer transmission distances of up to 30 meters and larger coverage areas are also being developed. Dr. Noack continues, „Real-time requirements can also be achieved with these modules. Measurements in a multipoint-to-multipoint scenario have shown that less than 800 µs can be achieved at a data rate of 549 Mbps. The streaming of audio or video files, as well as virtual augmented reality applications and machine-to-machine communication are typical applications with such latency requirements. Measurements in a Profinet test environment have shown Li-Fi HotSpots to be compatible to Class A of the open industrial Ethernet Profinet standard and able to ensure stable and error-free data transmission.“
Visitors to electronica 2018 in Munich can discuss Li-Fi technology and real-time requirements with our experts in Hall 5, Booth 426. As part of the parallel Wireless Congress, Dr. Noack will provide a tutorial on the subject of Li-Fi in industrial data transmission and Rene Kirrbach of Fraunhofer IPMS will give a lecture on real-time requirements and Li-Fi technology on 14. November. Visitors to the SPS ipc trade fair in Nuremberg, which takes place two weeks later, also have the opportunity to discuss with the scientists about Li-Fi technology at their booth.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS with its more than 300 employees is dedicated to top-level applied research and development in the fields of photonic systems, microsystems technologies, nanoelectronic technologies and wireless microsystems. Innovative processes and products which are based upon our various technologies can be found in all large markets – such as information and communication technologies, consumer products, automobile technology, semi-conductor technology, measurement and medical technology. More than 50 percent of our annual operating expense of 39 million euros is financed by direct commissions from industry. Regarding MEMS based and photonic systems we offer complete solutions: From conception to component right up to complete systems. This includes sample and pilot production in our 1500 m² (15,000 ft²) clean room (ISO 14644-1 class 4) with qualified processes. Additionally, in the area of nanoelectronics our business unit Center Nanoelectronic Technologies CNT provides services in the field of nano- and microelectronics with functional electronic materials, processes and systems, device and integration, maskless lithography and analytics. Another 800 m² of clean room space (ISO 14644-1 class 6) is available for this purpose. In order to meet the demands of our customers,our institute is certified according to the standard DIN EN 9001:2015.
Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems