WiFi and LiFi: what are the difference

You are most likely reading this article while connected to the internet via WiFi, but did you know there is another wireless technology that is much faster than wifi? You guessed it, it is LiFi. They share some similarities but differ greatly in application and operation. 

Introduction

With the introduction of wireless technologies. They boomed in the tech field and have revolutionized the way we communicate and access the internet. They allow us to connect to the internet from anywhere, at any time, without the need for physical cables or wires. There are several different wireless technologies available, WiFi and LiFi are two of the most popular wireless technologies that are widely used today for a variety of applications. In today’s article, we will explore the definitions, features, advantages, and disadvantages of WiFi and LiFi, and compare the two technologies to help you understand the key differences between them.

What is WiFi?

According to Wikipedia, WiFi or Wireless Fidelity is a wireless network technology that allows devices to connect to the internet using radio waves. It is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, which defines the protocols and frequencies used for wireless communication.

In today’s era, WiFi is the most popular choice for networking on the internet even if you are at home or the office, this is all because of its ease to use. We can use it to connect computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices to the internet, as well as to share files and resources between devices on the same network.

To make sure each WiFi unit or its components is working properly and as intended, we perform unit testing. It is a software testing method in which, as previously stated, each component is individually tested to ensure proper operation. 

Features of WiFi

Some of the features of WiFi include:

• High speeds: WiFi can offer high data transfer speeds, depending on the version of the 802.11 standards being used and the quality of the signal.
• Wide coverage: WiFi has a relatively long range, allowing devices to connect to the internet from a distance of up to several hundred feet.
• Compatibility: WiFi is compatible with a wide range of devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart home devices.

Advantages of WiFi

Here are a few advantages of WiFi:

• Range: WiFi technology has evolved a lot in these years and the vast coverage allows users to connect to the internet from anywhere within the range of a WiFi router.
• Simplicity: WiFi is easy to set up and use, requiring minimal configuration.
• Cost-effectiveness: WiFi requires no additional hardware or infrastructure beyond the router or access point, making it a cost-effective option for home and office networking.

Disadvantages of WiFi

Some of the disadvantages of WiFi include:

• Interference: WiFi signals can be disrupted by other devices that operate on the same frequency, such as cordless phones and microwave ovens.
• Security: WiFi networks are vulnerable to hacking and cyber attacks, which can compromise the security of sensitive data.
• Limited bandwidth: WiFi networks can become congested if too many devices are connected at the same time, resulting in slower speeds and reduced performance.

What is LiFi?

According to Wikipedia, LiFi or Light Fidelity is a wireless communication technology that uses visible light to transmit data. It works on the same principles laid by the WiFi but just uses light waves rather than radio waves to transfer data from one device to another. LiFi requires a line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, so we can only use it in environments where there is a direct visual connection.

LiFi has a number of potential applications, including indoor wireless networking, internet of things (IoT) connectivity, etc. It is also being explored for use in aviation, healthcare, and military applications.

Features of LiFi

Some of the features of LiFi include:

• High speeds: LiFi can offer data transfer speeds that are much faster than WiFi, due to the higher bandwidth of light waves compared to radio waves.
• Energy efficiency: LiFi requires less power than WiFi, making it more energy efficient and suitable for use in devices with low power consumption.
• Security: Since LiFi uses light wave technology, this makes it harder for hackers to intercept and steal sensitive data.

Advantages of LiFi

Some of the advantages of LiFi include:

• Spectral efficiency: LiFi can support a higher number of devices per unit area, due to the higher spectral efficiency of light waves compared to radio waves.
• Interference-free: Because LiFi in comparison with WiFi uses visible light spectrum frequencies, this helps to make it interference free from other device sources.
• Robustness: LiFi is less affected by physical obstacles, such as walls and ceilings, making it more reliable in certain environments.

Disadvantages of LiFi

Here are a few disadvantages LiFi has to offer:

• Limited range: LiFi has a much shorter range than WiFi, as it requires a direct line of sight between the transmitter and receiver.
• Restricted use: LiFi can only be used in environments where there is a visual connection between the transmitter and receiver, making it less flexible than WiFi.
• Cost: LiFi may be more expensive to implement than WiFi, due to the need for specialized equipment and infrastructure.

Comparison between LiFi and WiFi

Now that we have individually defined and explored about LiFi and WiFi, let’s tabulate and compare these technologies:

Sr. No.	Characteristic	LiFi	WiFi
1.	Frequency band	LiFi uses Visible light (400 THz to 800 THz)	WiFi uses Radio frequency (3 kHz to 300 GHz)
2.	Range	Limited range (due to line of sight requirement)	Longer range (can pass through walls and other barriers)
3.	Speed	Up to 224 gigabits per second (Gbps)	Up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps)
4.	Interference	Less prone to interference	Prone to interference from other devices and sources
5.	Security	Higher security (since it is more difficult to intercept light waves than RF waves)	Lower security (since it is easier to intercept RF waves)
6.	Compatibility	Limited compatibility with devices (since it is a newer technology)	Wide compatibility with devices (since it is a well-established technology)
7.	Cost	Generally more expensive to implement	Generally less expensive to implement
8.	Power consumption	Lower power consumption (since light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as transmitters)	Higher power consumption (since RF transmitters are used)
9.	Deployment	Can be deployed in any environment with sufficient light	Can be deployed in any environment
10.	Health concerns	No known health concerns (since light waves are non-ionizing)	Some concerns about the potential health effects of prolonged exposure to RF radiation (although the scientific evidence is inconclusive)

Conclusion

It’s time we conclude our today’s article, we discussed WiFi and LiFi, the two wireless data communication technologies used to connect devices to the internet. we also talked about the definition of unit testing, its features, and its advantages and disadvantages. At last, we did the Comparison between LiFi and WiFi.

I hope you found my article helpful; if you have any queries, you can comment on them down below. We will be back with another amazing article. Till then, keep exploring, and have a great day ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions to Resolve (FAQs)

What is the difference between WiFi and LiFi?

WiFi and LiFi are both wireless communication technologies that allow devices to connect to the internet and communicate with each other without the need for physical cables. The main difference between the two is the type of spectrum they use to transmit data. The electromagnetic spectrum on which WiFi run is the radio frequency (RF), while LiFi uses visible light.

What is LiFi in wireless communication?

LiFi is a technology that uses the visible light spectrum as wireless communication to transmit data. It works by modulating the intensity of light from an LED lightbulb to transmit data. The photodetector receives the data and converts the modulated light back into an electrical digital signal which is the language understood by the device.

Which is better, WiFi or LiFi?

It is difficult to say which technology is “better,” as both have their own advantages and disadvantages. WiFi is generally more widely available and has a longer range than LiFi, but LiFi has the potential to offer much faster speeds and is less susceptible to interference from other devices.

What is LiFi used for?

LiFi is used for a variety of applications, from a high-speed internet connection to communication between devices, and also to control smart devices and systems. LiFi offers faster speeds, greater security, and the ability to transmit data in places where WiFi may not be available.

What does LiFi mean in the context of wireless communication?

LiFi stands for “light fidelity” and it uses the visible light spectrum for wireless communication. It is a technology that allows data to be transmitted and received using light rather than radio waves. LiFi is a relatively new technology, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we connect to the internet and communicate with each other wirelessly.