Global boost from first LiFi 802.11bb standard
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The first global standard for light-based LiFi communications has been released to boost interoperability of light-based communications with existing WiFi radio systems.
The launch of IEEE802.11bb was welcomed by pureLiFi and Fraunhofer HHI. The Light Communications 802.11bb Task Group was formed in 2018 chaired by pureLiFi in Edinburgh, Scotland, and supported by technology developed at Fraunhofer HHI in Germany.
The IEEE 802.11bb standard defines the physical layer specifications and system architectures for wireless communication using light waves. The standard sets the foundation for the widespread adoption of the technology and paves the way for the interoperability of LiFi systems with the successful WiFi standard. Ratification of the standard was concluded in June 2023.
pureLiFi has already developed a standards-compliant devices including the recently released Light Antenna ONE. Analogous to the antenna chain in a radio frequency (RF) system such as WiFi, Light Antenna ONE enables 802.11bb compliance and can be integrated with existing WiFi chipsets as another band.
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“pureLiFi is delighted to see the release of the IEEE 802.11bb standard,” said Alistair Banham, CEO of pureLiFi. “This is a significant moment for the LiFi industry, as it provides a clear framework for the deployment of LiFi technology on a global scale. We are proud to have played a leading role in its creation and to be ready with the world’s first standards-compliant devices. The existence of a global standard gives confidence to device manufacturers who will deploy LiFi at scale.”
“The release of the IEEE 802.11bb standard is a significant moment for the wireless communications industry,” said pureLiFi’s VP of Standardisation, Nikola Serafimovski, who chaired the 802.1bb Task Group. “Through the activity of the 802.11bb task group, LiFi attracted interest from some of the biggest industry players ranging from semiconductor companies to leading mobile phone manufacturers. We worked with these key stakeholders to create a standard that will provide what the industry needs to adopt LiFi at scale.”
Volker Jungnickel from Fraunhofer HHI, technical editor of the task group, commented on the importance of a global LiFi standard: “The IEEE 802.11bb standard is a critical step to enable interoperability between multiple vendors. It allows for the first time LiFi solutions inside the WiFi ecosystem. This is essential for the development of new and innovative applications. LiFi can replace cables by short-range optical wireless links and connect numerous sensors and actuators to the Internet. We believe that this will create a future mass market. Fraunhofer HHI is looking forward to work with LiFi vendors from lighting and communication industries to make this a reality.”
“The IEEE 802.11bb standard is an important milestone for LiFi technology placing LiFi as a complementary and integrated technology alongside the highly successful WiFi standard,” said Richard Webb, Director, Network Infrastructure at industry analyst CCS Insights. “This opens-up exciting new opportunities for LiFi to work seamlessly with WiFi and make communications better in a range of applications, from high-speed, secure internet access in the home and office to expanding next generation experiences to wider markets such as XR and spatial computing.”
“Fraunhofer HHI welcomes the new IEEE 802.11bb,” said Dominic Schulz, lead of LiFi development at Fraunhofer HHI. “LiFi offers high-speed mobile connectivity in areas with limited RF, like fixed wireless access, classrooms, medical, and industrial scenarios. It complements or serves as an alternative to WiFi and 5G. 802.11bb integrates easily with existing infrastructures. Operating in an exclusive optical spectrum ensures higher reliability and lower latency and jitter. Light’s line-of-sight propagation enhances security by preventing wall penetration, reducing jamming and eavesdropping risks, and enabling centimetre-precision indoor navigation.”
The two companies believe that 802.11bb gives the market the first solution for low cost, low energy mass-market requirements that combines WiFi protocols with light-based systems. “Industry can fully reuse WiFi protocols over the light medium. This will bring traffic offloading, security and navigation capabilities of WiFi to the next level,” said Schulz.
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