With reference to ‘LiFi’, recently in the news which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission
- It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than ‘Wi-Fi’
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Both 1 and 2 are correct
- LiFi (light fidelity) is a bidirectional wireless system that transmits data via LED or infrared light.
- It was first unveiled in 2011 and, unlike wifi, which uses radio frequency, LiFi technology only needs a light source with a chip to transmit an internet signal through light waves.
- Its main advantages include:
- Faster: This results in faster transmission of data and faster internet connections – about 100 times faster than speeds achievable by WiFi.
- Cheaper and more sustainable: it is up to 10 times cheaper than wifi, requires fewer components and uses less energy.
- More accessible: any light fitting can easily be converted into an internet connection point, as only a simple LiFi emitter needs to be fitted.
- More secure: light does not pass through walls like radio waves do, and this prevents intruders from intercepting LiFi communications through a wireless network.
- No interference: electronic light does not interfere with radio communications, interact with other systems or compromise transmissions from aircraft, ships, etc.
