Fraunhofer HHI installs optical Wi-Fi system on the Island of Mainau
Fraunhofer HHI announced that, in conjunction with Mainau GmbH, it has successfully completed a project involving the installation of visible light communications (VLC) technology in a conference room on the Island of Mainau. The project began in the spring of 2015, with the existing conference room upgraded in several phases to offer insights about parameter optimization in view of practical applications. Fraunhofer said the VLC (also known as optical Wi-Fi or Li-Fi) installation is the first in Germany outside a laboratory and is one of the few field tests of the technology worldwide.
“This first VLC installation on the Island of Mainau was a very exciting project for us,” said Dr. Anagnostis Paraskevopoulos, project manager at Fraunhofer HHI, in a press release. “We very much appreciate the constructive collaboration with Mainau GmbH and the financial support of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Environment. Today we are looking back on one year of continuous, error-free operation of the installed system. Highly positive feedback from users shows that this technology will find a place in everyday life. The constructive comments are already being implemented into the further development of our systems today.”
Fraunhofer said the demand for wireless communication networks within buildings will continue to increase in the coming years. VLC, which uses LED-based light sources for data transmission purposes, offers an alternative to RF. Through the higher number of access points, a significant increase of the network capacity can be achieved while retaining the mobility.
VLC avoids RF electromagnetic interferences. Data rates of 1 Gb/s) and more can be achieved with conventional LEDs, thus even allowing for the flawless transmission of video data in HD and 4K quality. Fraunhofer said just a few additional components are needed to turn a conventional LED light into an optical Wi-Fi transmitter. VLC can also enhance security—for example, simply by closing the Mainau conference-room door.
Fraunhofer offers a video that provides a high-level overview of the technology.
Bettina Countess Bernadotte, managing director of Mainau GmbH, said she is supporting the research of reduced radiation mobile communication based on personal conviction. “We as the Island of Mainau are pleased that we were able to make a contribution to the further testing of the new technology, and we look forward to its subsequent development,” she said.
“This is a groundbreaking pilot project for mobile data communication without the use of radio technology, and a starting point for establishing a new basic technology that can be used where radio technology is not appropriate for health or technical reasons,” explained Dr. Andrea Leute and Dr. Stefan Zbornik of the Initiative BodenseeMobilfunk (Lake Constance Mobile Communications). “We are happy that we initiated and coordinated a successful project with partners from the fields of research, politics, and industry.”
Environment and Energy Minister Franz Untersteller added, “We like to support such trendsetting projects. VLC technology can help minimize exposure to wireless radio connections, and thereby supports the concept of prevention.”
The project is supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and Energy Sector. The Initiative BodenseeMobilfunk came up with the idea for the project on Mainau Island and also coordinated the activities of the project participants.
