The IEEE released 802.11bb, a new standard paving the way for the adoption of LiFi technology and its interoperability with WiFi.
LiFi is a wireless technology that uses light rather than radio frequencies to transmit data.
The standard defines the physical layer specifications and system architectures for wireless communication using light waves.
The IEEE 802.11bb Task Group on Light Communications is focused on introducing necessary changes to the base IEEE 802.11 Stds to enable communications in the light medium – access to the approved Project Authorization Request (PAR) and the Criteria for Standards Development (CSD). The general scope for the TG is limited to:
- Uplink and downlink operations in 800 nm to 1,000 nm band,
- All modes of operation achieve minimum single-link throughput of 10 Mb/s as measured at the MAC data service access point (SAP),
- Interoperability among solid state light sources with different modulation bandwidths.
This amendment specifies changes to the IEEE 802.11 MAC that are limited to the following:
- Hybrid coordination function (HCF) channel access,
- Overlapping basic service set (OBSS) detection and coexistance,
- Existing power management modes of operation (excluding new modes),
The project will also address the security of the transition between the new LC PHY and the existing 802.11 PHYs as well as the security implications in supporting Fast Session Transfer.
“The release of the IEEE 802.11bb standard is a significant milestone for the LiFi market,” said Harald Haas, CEO of pureLiFi. “This standard provides a global framework for the deployment of LiFi technology, which will help to accelerate its adoption and interoperability with other wireless technologies.”
“The IEEE 802.11bb standard is a major step forward for LiFi,” said Dr. Thomas Zwick, Head of the LiFi Research Group at Fraunhofer HHI. “This standard will enable the development of more efficient and interoperable LiFi systems, which will help to make LiFi a more attractive option for businesses and consumers.”
pureLiFi, a pioneering company in the development of LiFi technology, has already developed the world’s first 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 inherently enables 802.11bb compliance. It can be integrated with existing WiFi chipsets that ship in the billions annually. With Light Antenna ONE, LiFi simply appears to the system as if it were another band of WiFi.
“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.”
“Fraunhofer HHI welcomes the new IEEE 802.11bb.”, says 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.”
