LINCNET: Exploring the Synergy of LiFi and Powerline Communication for Industrial and Medical Applications - Li-Fi Conference 2023 Presentation

LiFi and Powerline Communication for Industrial and Medical Applications

We will discuss the presentation titled “LINCNET: Exploring the Synergy of LiFi and Powerline Communication for Industrial and Medical Applications” from the recent Li-Fi conference 3rd edition. This was delivered by Dr. Anil Mengi. He is an accomplished engineer with extensive experience in electronics, communications, and business administration. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Istanbul Technical University, M.Sc. from Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, and a doctorate from the University of Duisburg-Essen.

He also holds an Executive MBA from Maastricht University School of Business and Economics. Dr. Mengi has worked at Atlas Elektronik and is currently the Vice President of Strategic Positioning at devolo AG, a global leader in powerline communication technology. His research interests include wireless, powerline, LiFi, and fibre communications, as well as smart transportation and smart grids. Dr. Mengi has authored 21 IEEE publications, 3 book chapters, and contributed to multiple standards.

You can watch the full presentation on the following link:

Below is a summary of the key points we have extracted from Dr. Anil Mengi's presentation:

1. Devolo is a German company specialising in powerline and WiFi products with significant R&D investment.

2. Founded in 2002, Devolo has sold over 50 million consumer devices and partners with telecom operators.

3. Presentation of a government-funded research project on LiFi for industrial/medical uses.

4. Aims to leverage LiFi within 5G framework for hospitals and SMEs.

5. 8% of data consumed indoors so need alternate tech to 5G small cells.

6. LiFi has growing interest for indoor where 5G is costly.

7. 15 partners from industry/research working on the 3-year project started February 2022.

8. 5.3M euro budget, with 3.3M funded. Devolo is project coordinator.

9. Proposed solution uses powerline communication backbone with LiFi systems.

10. Devolo has long expertise in powerline communication technology and products.

11. Powerline provides unified infrastructure/management with LiFi flexibility.

12. Partners include network management, hardware, research, 5G integration roles.

13. Defined 5 use cases for hospitals and factories based on requirements.

14. Focus on integration of powerline and LiFi in a cost effective way.

15. Two solutions investigated - digital forwarding of powerline data to LiFi; analog forwarding.

16. Analog forwarding has lower latency but limited to single powerline channel speed.

17. Digital forwarding gives higher throughput using powerline channel aggregation.

18. Multi-channel analog approach also analyzed for diversity and higher data rates.

19. Powerline channel capacity optimized by amplification gain tuning and diversity.

20. 350Mbps theoretical max speed with 60dB gain over 8MHz powerline channel.

21. Endpoint receiver diversity improves reliability by combining multiple LiFi signals.

22. Ongoing optimisations for multi-path reflections and regulatory compliance.

23. Next steps include finalising prototypes and conducting field trials in hospitals.

24. Results aim to showcase capabilities of hybrid powerline/LiFi networks.

25. Findings will aid 5G indoor coverage with LiFi/powerline combinations.

26. Project develops proof of concept for complementary hybrid networks.

27. Leverages existing powerline infrastructure for cost effective modernization.

28. Demonstrates bringing 5G capabilities to indoor spaces constraints.

29. Focus beyond integration to advancing next-gen LiFi technologies.

30. Expertise from medical and industrial partners informs requirements.

31. Compliance with hospital regulations also key consideration.

32. Devolo bringing experience in powerline products and networks.

33. Findings will expand use cases for converged powerline/LiFi solutions.

34. Project establishes framework for collaborative research and development.

35. Government funding enables innovative LiFi research and trials.

36. Opportunity to strengthen LiFi ecosystem with industry partnerships.

37. Platform to integrate LiFi into 5G as complementary technology.

38. Results will highlight benefits of hybrid connectivity solutions.

39. Aims to drive standardization and commercial adoption.

40. Project expands LiFi capabilities and adoption through field deployments.

In conclusion, the project explored converged powerline/LiFi networks to demonstrate cost-effective solutions for bringing 5G indoor connectivity to hospitals and industries. It leveraged powerline infrastructure while advancing LiFi capabilities through optimised hybrid architectures. The aim is to expand the LiFi ecosystem and drive commercial adoption.