LiFi vs GiFi | Basic Difference between LiFi and GiFi
This page compares LiFi vs GiFi describes basic difference between LiFi and GiFi technologies. LiFi term is used for Light Fidelity and GiFi term is used for Gigabit Wireless technology.
LiFi Technology
Following are the features of LiFi technology as depicted in the figure-1.
• LiFi (Light Fidelity) works based on VLC (Visible Light Communication) principle.
• LiFi transmits data using light intensity modulation.
• It uses LEDs at transmit ends and Photo-detectors at receive ends.
LiFi dongle uses photo-detectors as shown in the figure-1.
Here LEDs are connected with internet server via lamp driver for internet connection.
• It uses light with wavelength ranging from 380 nm to 780 nm for data communication between LEDs and
photo detectors.
• LiFi system supports three modes viz. peer to peer, star and broadcast.
• LiFi system uses modulation schemes such as OOK, VPPM, CSK.
• The PHY and MAC layers of LiFi system are defined in IEEE 802.15.7-2011 standard.
• LiFi technology is used for various applications which include street lights,
sign boards, internet etc.
• It transfers data very rapidly and securely due LOS (Line of Sight) operation of
optical signals. Refer LiFi tutorial >> for more information.
GiFi Technology
Following are the features of GiFi technology.
• It is first transceiver in the world developed on single chip using CMOS process.
• It operates at 60 GHz. (uses unlicensed band from 57 to 64 GHz).
• It allows wireless transfer of audio/video at 5 Gbps within coverage of
10 meters with very low power consumption.
• It is developed by NICTA (National Information and Communication Technology Research Center), Australia.
• The main component of gifi architecture is subscriber station which interfaces with
several APs (Access Points).
• It is defined in IEEE 802.15.3C standard. It forms wireless PAN network in millimeter wave frequency band.
• Antenna is usually mounted on the roof which supports LOS communication.
• It uses TDD topology for transmission and reception with single antenna.
• It can be used with FDD topology using two antennas.
• Advantages: It offers very high data rate (7Gbps, BPSK) and low interference.
Complex modulation schemes are not required. Antenna separation of about 1.25 mm is needed. Gifi technology is about ten times
fast compare to wifi technology.
• Disadvantages: It supports short distance (about 10 meters) due to high attenuation which
depends on frequency. It can be blocked by an object very easily.
RTS/CTS does not work in gifi technology unlike wifi.
Compare LiFi vs GiFi | Table of Comparison between LiFi and GiFi
Following table compares LiFi vs GiFi and derives difference between LiFi and GiFi technologies with respect to various features.
| Feature | LiFi | GiFi |
|---|---|---|
| Transport medium | Light (flickering of LED bulbs) | mm waves |
| Data rate or speed | up to 1 Gbps | 5 Gbps and more |
| Frequency range | 50 THz | 57 to 64 GHz |
| coverage range or distance | larger, about 100 meters (depends on light intensity and LED range) | smaller, about 10 meters |
| Data density | High | Very High |
| Security | very secure | less secure |
| Cost | Low | Very low |
LiFi and WiFi Related Links
LiFi internet vs WiFi internet
Data Over Light basics mentioning how Li-Fi works
WiFi Internet using WiFi hotspots
MiFi vs WiFi
WiFi RF Channels
LiFi tutorial
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difference between FDM and OFDM
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
Difference between 802.11 standards viz.11-a,11-b,11-g and 11-n
OFDM vs OFDMA
CDMA vs GSM
Bluetooth vs zigbee
Fixed wimax vs mobile