LiFi Attocell Networking – Taking the Small Cell Concept to a New Level
By: Prof. Harald Haas
Professor of Mobile Communications, LiFi R&D Centre,
University of Edinburgh, UK
Abstract
This talk will clarify the difference between visible light communication (VLC) and Light-Fidelity (LiFi). In particular, it will show how LiFi will take VLC further by using light emitting diodes (LEDs) to realize fully networked wireless systems. Synergies are harnessed as luminaries become LiFi attocells resulting in enhanced wireless capacity providing the necessary connectivity to realize the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and to enable light-as-a-service (LaaS).
We will show how LiFi networks can achieve key performance indicators of 5th generation (5G) cellular systems. The talk will discuss key technologies from components to hybrid LiFi/Wireless-Fidelity (WiFi) networks, and we will address several misconceptions such as: “LiFi is a line-of-sight technology”, or “LiFi does not work under strong sunlight conditions”. The talk will conclude with remarks on commercialization of LiFi technologies.
About the Speaker
Professor Haas holds the Chair of Mobile Communications at the University of Edinburgh, and is the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of pureLiFi Ltd as well as the Director of the LiFi Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Edinburgh. His main research interests are in optical wireless communications, hybrid optical wireless and RF communications, spatial modulation, and interference coordination in wireless networks. He first introduced and coined ‘LiFi’ in a TED Global talk: “Wireless Data from Every Light Bulb” in 2011. This talk has been viewed online more than 2.4 million times.
He has published 400 conference and journal papers including a paper in Science. He co-authors a book entitled: “Principles of LED Light Communications Towards Networked Li-Fi” published with Cambridge University Press in 2015. Prof. Haas was co-recipient of several recent best paper awards.
In 2012, he was the recipient of the prestigious Established Career Fellowship from the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) in the UK. In 2014, he was selected by EPSRC as one of ten RISE (Recognising Inspirational Scientists and Engineers) Leaders in the UK. In 2016 he has received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the International Solid State Lighting Alliance (ISA).