Researchers reveal ”li-fi” system

Wireless networks crafted from rays of infrared light could soon allow you to connect to the internet 100 times faster than current systems. Researchers have devised a new method that relies on central ‘light antennas’ to beam rays of different wavelengths to wireless devices – meaning networks won’t get jammed by several competing devices. A […]

Wireless networks crafted from rays of infrared light could soon allow you to connect to the internet 100 times faster than current systems.

Researchers have devised a new method that relies on central ‘light antennas’ to beam rays of different wavelengths to wireless devices – meaning networks won’t get jammed by several competing devices.

A light-based system, also known as ‘Li-Fi,’ could make wireless networks much more secure, and researchers now say it could hit the stores in just five years.

Lab tests have shown that Li-Fi can hit speeds 100 times faster than current Wi-Fi systems.

Speed is not the only advantage of Li-Fi.

The system uses visible light communication between 400 and 800 terahertz to transmit messages in binary code.  

Visible light cannot pass through walls, making Li-Fi a much more secure system, and less susceptible to interference.

While the system seems promising, it won’t likely replace Wi-Fi entirely, at least not anytime soon.

Instead, researchers are now looking to retrofit devices with Li-Fi to use the two wireless systems together to optimize speed and security.