Light Communications Alliance: a key institution for a greener ICT
Light Communications Alliance: a key institution for a greener ICT
As part of the series recap of the Li-Fi Conference 3rd edition, we will look at the presentation titled “Light Communications Alliance: a key institution for a greener ICT”. This was delivered by Dominique Chiaroni, Vice-Chair of the LCA and Bell Labs Senior Researcher.
The speaker begins by outlining the structure of their presentation on light communication as a key solution for more environmentally friendly information and communication technology (ICT). The talk covered an introduction to light communication, the motivations behind a shift toward greener ICT, a detailed examination of optical technology as a pivotal component for this transition, an analysis of optical wireless technologies, and concluding thoughts.
They delved into the objectives of light communication, emphasising the intent to extend its benefits to both people and technology. Achieving this requires a comprehensive, dynamic ecosystem operating at an accelerated pace. Their mission involves a streamlined approach to market education, aligning industry leaders, developing new business models, and establishing a new standard of communication and cooperation.
Regarding membership, the speaker listed various stakeholders, including Wi-Fi mainstays, application developers, operators, equipment vendors, network and security experts, and academic and research institutions. The general chairman of LCA is Mark Fleshen, CEO of Zero1.
The speaker stressed the importance of steering this technology in a direction that synchronises with the significant evolution of ICT, touching upon upcoming discussions about the environmental aspects and potential new requirements for various industry segments.
Three key technologies under the umbrella of light communication are highlighted:
1. Light Fidelity (LiFi) technology: A bidirectional modality necessitating an extra physical layer, including new light sources like LEDs or lasers, particularly vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers, and photodiodes. It operates in the visible, ultraviolet or infrared spectrum.
2. Optical Camera Communication (OCC) technology: A unidirectional method using the camera as a photodetector, useful for indoor positioning and data reception from the network.
3. Free Space Optics (FSO) technology: A direct, bidirectional optical communication system, used outdoors for backhauling, but also promising for indoor applications.
Historical figures in the development of these technologies, such as Alexander Graham Bell and a Professor Harald Haas, are acknowledged for their pioneering work.
The IEEE 802.11 bb standard is discussed. This new standard is a notable development finalised. It adapts optical antennas in place of radiofrequency ones and bases itself on Wi-Fi protocols. Products using this technology offer high data transfer rates, enhanced security, and an alternative for environments sensitive to electromagnetic interference.
The speaker then transitions to the motivation for greener ICT, examining projections for electricity demand by 2040. They highlight that digital networks accounted for 11% of global electricity production in 2020 and explore potential scenarios for 2030. The discussion includes global electricity production trends, the necessity curve for CO2 emissions, and the importance of new, environmentally conscious technologies in mitigating these challenges.
The presentation emphasised collaboration with active members in the field, contribution to the emergence of new green technologies, development of innovative products, and promotion of research to push the boundaries of these technologies, all with the overarching aim of fostering a more sustainable ICT environment.
You can watch the full presentation on the following link:
Here is a summary of the key points from Dominique Chiaroni's presentation:
The presentation covers light communication technologies, motivation for greener ICT, and using optical wireless to enable sustainable added value services.
The Light Communications Alliance (LCA) aims to promote benefits of light communication across industries through education, use cases, standards.
LCA has members from various sectors - WiFi players, operators, vendors, research institutes.
Three key light communication technologies - LiFi, Optical Camera Communication, Free Space Optics.
Motivation is the high and growing electricity demand of ICT - 11% of global electricity in 2020, projected to reach 21-51% by 2040.
Goal is greener ICT through lower energy usage. Optical wireless is more energy efficient than radio frequency.
Analysis shows potential 92% reduction in CO2 emissions from switching 50% of mobile data traffic to light communication by 2040.
Optical wireless also enables new sustainable services like smart transportation, smart cities, IoT, broadband for all.
LCA developing ecosystem and driving research to realise benefits of light communication for greener ICT.
LCA has 6 member categories - WiFi players, operators, vendors, research institutes, application developers, networking/security.
LCA partners with related alliances like WiFi Alliance to collaborate on complementary technologies.
LiFi uses LEDs for high-speed bi-directional communication over visible or infrared spectrum.
IEEE 802.11bb LiFi standard finalised in 2022 enables 1Gbps and leverages WiFi protocols.
OCC uses cameras as receivers for unidirectional communication and indoor positioning.
Free space optics uses lasers for long range outdoor point-to-point transmission.
Light communication history - Alexander Graham Bell transmitted voice over a beam of light in 1880.
Prof. Harald Haas introduced LiFi in 2011 - high-speed wireless data transmission via LED lights.
ICT electricity demand estimate to rise from 11% of global supply in 2020 to 21-51% by 2040 based on various projections.
Greener ICT needed to reduce massive future increases in energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Optical wireless offers high energy efficiency compared to radio frequency communication.
Analysis shows 50% mobile traffic migration to LiFi could cut related emissions by 92% by 2040.
Light communication enables smart transportation, smart cities, IoT, broadband for all - new sustainable services.
Optical wireless complements RF technologies with advantages like security, immunity, high bandwidth.
LCA building ecosystem and driving research to realize sustainability benefits of light communication.
Collaboration across industries and development of standards key to adoption.
5G forms backbone for connectivity with light communication providing high-speed indoor access.
Promoting complementary role of optical wireless and use cases for greener ICT is LCA mission.
More industry events planned in 2023 on sustainability applications of visible light communications.
Overall, the presentation makes the case for using emerging light communication technologies like LiFi to reduce the growing energy and emissions footprint of ICT systems and enable new sustainable services. The LCA aims to drive this through standards, research and industry collaboration.
