Siemens uses light to transmit data, breaks record
Friday, 22 January 2010, 14:47 IST   |    59 Comments
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Siemens uses light to transmit data, breaks record
Bangalore: By making use of white LEDs (light-emitting diodes), a Siemens research project has broken the record for transmitting data wirelessly. Breaking the previous record speed of 200Mbps and obliterating current WiFi standards, the researchers at Siemens were able to transmit data at 500Mbps, reports PCWorld. The researchers used Ostar LEDs and lights are modulated at a frequency that enables high-speed data transfers. A photodetector was used at other end that receives the light signals and converts them into electrical pulses. Siemens refers to this method of transmitting data as VLC (Visible Light Communication), and the company claims that it could be put to use in numerous ways. It could be used to help boost the performance of wireless networks. Another advantage of this method is that VLC data transfer is more secure than radio signals, since the receiving end must have a photodetector and a simple curtain is enough to stop potential eavesdroppers. This method can be used in transportation, where LED stoplights can transmit information to trains and cars, for example. Siemens mentions that they combined five LEDs to transfer data over 'longer distances' at rates up to 100Mbit/s, but didn't mention exactly how long these distances were.

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