FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE FOR PHOTONIC MICROSYSTEMS IPMS

Li-Fi Optical Wireless Communication

 Optical Wireless Data Transfer over
a Distance of Several Meters.

Li-Fi Optical Wireless Communication

Light as a Transmission Medium The advantages of Li-Fi technology can be summarized in two
simple words:
Using light as a communication tool, for example in beacons
and lighthouses, has a long tradition in the history of mankind. Fast Low latency means real time capability
With a speed of approximately 300,000 km/s, light is the fast-
Accessible No cables means more flexibility
est known transmission medium. Technologically, everyone is
aware of optical signals used in the television remote control. Secure Line-of-Sight means hard to hack
Even when radiation is emitted in infrared (IR), outside our vis- Tiny Small module sizes are possible
ible spectrum, the transmission of data is based on the same
physical laws as those for the so-called visual light communica-
Low-cost Low energy and production costs
tion (VLC) using visible light.
Interference-free No RF interferences
So far, optical wireless communication has prevailed above all Global No spectrum license fees
only in special applications, with radio transmission technol-
High-speed 10 faster than other wireless solutions
ogies dominating the broader market of wireless data com-
munication. Due to the ever-growing amount of data to be Timely Up-to-date technology
transmitted, radio-based wireless communication is increas-
ingly reaching its limits. In addition to the limited bandwidth
availability of radio systems, the so-called Frequency Crunch
problem, implementation costs are growing exponentially with
increasing transmission frequencies.

Therefore, optical wireless communication known as Li-Fi

(Light Fidelity) is experiencing a renaissance due especially to
high data rates, relatively low production costs and the possibil-
ity to communicate in real time. Hence, light as a transmission
medium will, in the next years, play an increasingly important
role in both the industrial as well as in the consumer sectors.

Li-Fi GigaDock
Our optical docking station addresses application scenarios
with ranges of a few centimeters. Data speeds of 12.5 Gbps are
now already realizable, still unachievable for radio connections.
The future will bring transmission speeds of over 100 Gbps.
Through narrow restrictions of the data connection with re-
gards to reach and field-of-view, up to 97% of the transmission
capacity can be utilized for user data.
In addition to a high net data rate and real-time capability, se-
curity plays a major role in this application scenario. Eavesdrop-
ping on communications is practically impossible and thereby
just as private as a direct access by means of a plug or cable
connection. In contrast, however, no open contacts exist. The
system remains fully closed on every side of communication.
Fraunhofer IPMS develops and manufactures transceivers for Li-
Fi docking applications with dimensions of down to 2mm edge
length. A wireless energy supply is also possible at this distance.
Li-Fi Hotspot
The Li-Fi-Hotspot developed at Fraunhofer IPMS allows for the
installation of a private, high-speed network without imposing
cables.
The system offers high data rates of up to 1 Gbps, robustness,
low energy consumption, data security as well as networking
capability over a distance of up to 30 meters and its small size
is easily aligned and inexpensive to install.
Wireless Energy and High Speed
Data Transmission.
The data exchange is limited to a defined area and therefore
does not interfere with other Hotspots nearby, making it possi-
ble to use the full bandwidth of each Li-Fi link.
In addition to Li-Fi-broadcasting modules sending data in one
direction, technology developed at Fraunhofer IPMS offers the
possibility of a real-time capable and bi-directional, full du-
plex communication.
Cable Replacement in Industrial
Applications
With more and more sensors, machines and control units com-
municating with each other, industrial equipment is becoming
increasingly complex. Evolving requirements have also resulted
in increased demands to find substitutes for the prevailing wire-
bound fieldbus systems. Wireless systems offer better reliabili-
ty and security than expensive special cables or slip rings that
are prone to wear and tear, particularly in movable or moving
equipment.
Due to low latency, a Li-Fi communication channel is very well
suited for machine-to-machine interaction. It is therefore possi-
ble to synchronize sensor and actuator data and thus avoid col-
lisions or coordinate complex interactions between robot arms
or different subsystems.
Li-Fi solutions developed at Fraunhofer IPMS also allow the
expansion of existing infrastructure free of costly installation
through a an independent communication channel. This is es-
pecially beneficial in areas where conventional technologies are

already in use by other applications or the use of radio systems
is impossible due to strong electromagnetic interactions.
The electrical interface communication for the Li-Fi module can
be individually adapted to the given requirements of an already
existing communication network, like Ethernet, Gigabit Ether-
net, RS422, RS232 CAN or Profinet. The modules are designed
to work in a plug-and-play manner without installation of ad-
ditional software.
Security
One of the main handicaps of optical wireless data transmis-
sion is the necessary line of sight. However, this constraint is
not only disadvantageous. Data can only be accessed by the
direct introduction of a receiver in the transmission channel.
Such an intrusion would, with high probability, be noticed al-
lowing for a swift response to such an event. Therefore, Li-Fi
communication combines the flexibility of wireless communi-
cation technology with the security of traditional cable-wired
solutions. Due to the potentially high net data rates, connec-
tions must often be held only for a short time, for example
when downloading new firmware or uploading sensor data.
Li-Fi Board-to-Board Communication
High-frequency signals are commonly transmitted between
two circuit boards via HF connectors. Higher data rates require
Wireless Board-to-Board
Communication with up to
12.5Gbps.
more complex connector constructions in order to reliably send
signals. Unfortunately, it is often the case that delicately-struc-
tured HF connectors are expensive and in practice, mechanical-
ly fragile. Contacts often become bent or loose and connectors
can be replugged only a limited number of times. The Fraun-
hofer IPMS is designing Li-Fi modules to replace vulnerable HF
connectors on printed circuit boards and thus ensure reliable
board-to-board communication.
This allows for higher flexibility with respect to interchangeabil-
ity and installation of board modules. Furthermore, completely
new opportunities arise for the form factor and miniaturization
of systems and the galvanic decoupling of subsystems.
Fraunhofer IPMS Competences
Optics
Transceiver
Protocol
Controller
Electrical
Interface
Range of Services
Li-Fi Module Characteristics Fraunhofer IPMS Services

Data Rate: kbit/s up to 12.5Gbit/s

Wavelengths: Infrared and Visible Consulting Services
Low Power down to 7mW/Gbit/s Guidance for decisions which may change the world.
Distances up to 30m
Smallest Package Concept: 222mm Feasibility Tests
Temperature Range: Consumer or Industrial Use our know-how to verify your ideas.
Laser Class 1
Different Electrical Interfaces (e.g. USB, RS422, RS232, Research and Development
CAN, HDMI, Profinet, Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet) Innovation for our future.
Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Solutions
Uni- and Bi-directional Communication Module Prototyping
Half and Full Duplex Mode Make your vision a product.
Plug and Play
Optical & HF Simulation
Plan before acting.

Available Evaluation Kits Customized Transceiver Design

No compromises.
Li-Fi GigaDock Eval Kits
Transceiver Test and Qualification
Transceiver Type Data Rate
Clarify your stance.
GD-1G 1 Gbit/s
GD-5G 5 Gbit/s
GD-10G 10 Gbit/s Eye Safety and Laser Class Measurement
Safety first.
Li-Fi Hotspot Eval Kits
Eye Diagram and Jitter Measurements
Transceiver Type Data Rate
Everything sharp and clear.
HS-1M 1 Mbit/s
HS-10M 10 Mbit/s
HS-100M 100 Mbit/s
HS-1G 1 Gbit/s
Short Profile
Based in Dresden, Fraunhofer IPMS is your research and service partner for the fields of optical
sensors and actuators, integrated circuits, microsystems (MEMS/MOEMS) and nanoelectronics.
As one of currently 67 independent institutes of the Fraunhofer Society for the advancement of
applied research, the leading European organization for industry-related research, our approxi-
mately 280 scientists work together with industrial and service companies as well as the public
sector on projects directly benefiting both business and society. In recognition of our customers
high standards, the Fraunhofer IPMS is certified in accordance with DIN EN 9001:2008 to re-
search, develop and manufacture photonic microsystems, relevant semiconductor and microsys-
tem processes and integrated actuators/sensors as well as to provide DEKRA consulting.

We are committed to the research and development of technology for tomorrows high-speed
networks in the field of optical wireless communication. We utilize light, both from the infrared
and visible spectrums, as a wireless transmission medium. Our Li-Fi technology uses bandwidths
of several gigabits per second and has the potential to transmit data up to one ten times faster
than currently available wireless solutions with a negligible bit error rate of 10-9 per second. To-
gether with industry partners, we have founded the new industry platform Li-Fi Consortium in
2011, enabling us to drive industry-suitable technology developments in markets characterized
by different standards as well as promote and market optical technologies and applications. With
our years of experience, we offer application oriented contract research, technology solutions
Li-Fi Optical Wireless
and product development as well as prototype and pilot series production for a variety of Li-Fi Communication
application scenarios.

Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS

Maria-Reiche-Str. 2
01109 Dresden, Germany

Phone: +49 351 88 23-0

Fax: +49 351 88 23-266
info@ipms.fraunofer.de
www.ipms.fraunhofer.de