
In modern industrial plants, machines, sensors and control systems need to communicate with each other ever more quickly and reliably. Traditional cable connections are often inflexible, while wireless solutions can be prone to interference.
This is where the Li-Fi Grathus® developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS comes in: The technology uses light for data transmission (“Li-Fi” stands for Light Fidelity) and thus enables a wireless connection without radio waves. With data rates of 1 Gbit/s or more and a range of up to 10 meters, the system is suitable for many industrial applications.
A decisive advantage is the extremely short, predictable delay (deterministic latency) of less than 100 nanoseconds. This means that data is transmitted practically in real time, which is particularly important for robotics and precise machine control.
High-speed, reliable and interference-free
In contrast to Wi-Fi or other wireless technologies, Li-Fi Grathus® works with light signals. This has a decisive advantage: the transmission is insensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMC), which often occurs in industrial environments. In addition, the system can transmit and receive simultaneously (full duplex), so that no time is lost. The technology can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems and networks without major conversions and supports common industry standards such as Profinet, EtherCAT, EtherCAT G and SERCOS III as well as new Time Sensitive Networking (TSN). In addition to Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0/3.1 and customer-specific interfaces are also available. An additional side channel with 1 Mbit/s supports management, diagnostic and security signals.
Easy handling in industrial use
In addition to performance, ease of use plays a particularly important role in practice. Li-Fi Grathus® impresses here:
- Easy installation: compared to complex optical data transmission systems such as free-beam systems, which require complex alignment or expensive optical systems (e.g. beamsteering or adaptive optics), Grathus® can be installed and operated flexibly and without adjustment.
- Innovative, patented multi-path lens: It allows higher transmission power and simple manual alignment.
- Eye-safe operation: laser class 1 ensures safe use.
- Rugged design: Thermally stable and compact plug-and-play design with metal housing protects the technology in everyday industrial use
- High flexibility: Enables versatile use in different applications.
Broad range of applications in industrial automation
Due to its proven predictable real-time communication between control, sensor and actuator systems, Li-Fi Grathus® is suitable wherever fast and reliable data transmission without cables is required. Typical areas of application are:
- Industrial automation
- Robotics
- Motion control (precise motion control of machines)
- Retrofitting existing systems (retrofit)
- Backhaul and backbone connections for WLAN and mobile radio access points
- Logistics systems, e.g. shelving and storage systems
- Large rotating machines
- High-bandwidth channels for uploading and downloading sensor data, e.g. for automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
Wireless connectivity offers significant advantages, especially in flexible production environments where machines are frequently changed over, without compromising deterministic performance. In addition, it enables reliable operation in metallic environments where wireless technologies reach their limits and are at risk of failure.
“The Li-Fi Grathus® builds on over 15 years of Li-Fi experience at Fraunhofer IPMS. With our latest development, we deliver fast and secure optical, wireless industrial communication in real time – compatible with many industrial Ethernet standards and perfectly designed for demanding industrial use in a robust construction,” says Dr. René Kirrbach, Li-Fi group manager at Fraunhofer IPMS.
Availability as a test kit
The Li-Fi Grathus® is available as an evaluation kit. This “ready-to-use” kit makes it possible to easily replace a wired 1Gbps Ethernet connection with an optical connection using plug-and-play and to test the basic functions of the technology in practice. A kit contains two Grathus® modules, two Ethernet cables, a power supply and a user manual and can be obtained directly from Fraunhofer IPMS.
Technical highlights of the evaluation kit
- Data rate: 1 Gbit/s and more
- Range: up to 5 m with high dynamic range
- Real-time capable with deterministic latency (<< 100 ns, 10,000 times lower than 5G and Wi-Fi)
- Bidirectional, full duplex
- Compatible with industrial Ethernet: Profinet, EtherCAT, EtherCAT-G, SERCOS III
- Interfaces: Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0/3.1 + customer-specific
- Additional side channel: 1 Mbit/s
- Laser safety class 1 (eye-safe operation)
- Disturbance-free, robust, thermally stable and compact plug-and-play design
- Easy alignment
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 79 mm x 119 mm x 62 mm
Grathus® is a registered trademark of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V.
Find out more about Li-Fi Grathus® technology at: Li-Fi Grathus® – Fraunhofer IPMS.
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Further links
👉 To the original press release
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