LiFi-WiFi Hybrid Systems for Industrial Fast Data Transfer
摘要
The increasing demand for high-speed, secure, and reliable data transfer in industries such as healthcare, media production, and smart manufacturing has exposed the limitations of traditional WiFi networks, including bandwidth congestion, latency issues, and vulnerability to interference and eavesdropping. While edge computing alleviates some processing bottlenecks, it does not fully address the challenges of transferring large files (e.g., medical imaging, 4K/8K video, or industrial IoT datasets) in real-time with low latency and high security. This study explores a hybrid LiFi-WiFi network (HLWNet) architecture as a superior alternative for industrial-scale data transfer. Unlike WiFi alone, LiFi offers ultra-high-speed (multi-gigabit), low-latency, and inherently secure optical wireless communication, while WiFi ensures mobility and broader coverage. The research addresses key challenges in hybrid networking, including seamless handover between LiFi and WiFi, optimized cell deployment under illumination constraints, and support for both stationary and mobile users in multi-tier LiFi networks. Additionally, we investigate the integration of WiFi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) with LiFi to enhance long-range, low-power connectivity for industrial IoT applications. By proposing a structured framework for HLWNets, this work demonstrates how hybrid networks can outperform standalone WiFi and edge computing in scenarios requiring high-throughput, interference-free, and secure data transmission. The findings highlight the potential of LiFi-WiFi systems in smart factories, telemedicine, and media production, while also discussing future directions, such as AI-driven handover optimization and scalable deployments for 6G convergence.