Data needs to flow ever faster and more reliably. But radio technologies often reach their limits. Researchers in Dresden are therefore taking a different approach. Instead of transmitting information via radio, they use light signals – with significantly lower latency than wireless technologies such as 5G.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems has developed a technology called Li-Fi Grathus. “Li-Fi” stands for “Light Fidelity,” meaning data transmission via light, similar to “Wi-Fi” for radio. The system achieves data rates of at least one gigabit per second, placing it in the high-speed range of modern data networks.
Latency – the delay in data transmission – is particularly noteworthy. It is less than 100 nanoseconds, or one billionth of a second. Wireless connections such as 5G take significantly longer under comparable conditions. For robots that need to react within milliseconds, this difference can be crucial. In addition, the latency is not only very low but also predictable.
From research to practical use
The Dresden development is part of a broader trend. Around the world, researchers are exploring the use of light as an additional communication channel, as radio frequencies become increasingly congested and approach physical limits. Particularly in areas with high demands for reliability, such as industrial environments or critical infrastructure, Li-Fi is gaining attention. In many cases, the technology is still transitioning from the laboratory to real-world applications. Systems like Li-Fi Grathus indicate that practical use in specialized industrial settings is becoming increasingly feasible.
“Li-Fi Grathus builds on more than 15 years of Li-Fi research at Fraunhofer IPMS,” says Dr. René Kirrbach, head of the Li-Fi group at Fraunhofer IPMS. “With our latest development, we provide fast and secure optical wireless communication for industrial applications in real time.” He adds that the system is designed to meet the demands of harsh industrial environments..
