Gigabit Speed, Resilient Multi-Channel Li-Fi Network

To address the Army’s need for a multi-channel light-fidelity (Li-Fi) system for tactical shelters, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (ISS) proposes to develop a new Gigabit Speed, Resilient Multi-Channel Li-Fi Network (GREMLIN) based on redundant, individually controllable multi-color LEDs for lighting and downlinking in Li-Fi bulbs. These bulbs use beam-shaping elements to control the illumination area of each bulb and produce homogenous coverage over that area. This technology, in conjunction with its multi-color LED approach and modulation scheme, provides an aggregate network capacity of equal to or exceeding 40 Gbps over a 2,500 ft2 area, and supports over 50 workstations simultaneously. GREMLIN’s workstation transceivers connect via a plug-and-play dongle and use LEDs spectrally shifted from the illumination LEDs for uplinking, enabling uplink speeds equal to the downlink speeds. Multi-channel communications for classified and unclassified systems are provided by individual modulation of the LEDS and spectrally selective receivers. In Phase I, ISS will demonstrate the feasibility of GREMLIN by designing a multi-user Li-Fi network and demonstrating Li-Fi multi-channel communication between computers, as well as providing a life-cycle cost analysis. In Phase II, ISS plans to develop a complete network capable of supporting a minimum of 50 workstations and compatible with military power supplies.