Vehicle communication in tunnel using visible light

Project Title

Vehicle communication in tunnel using visible light

Project Area of Specialization Information & Communication TechnologyProject Summary

The main theme and idea behind this project is to transfer audio information from one place to another using visible light. This technique is known as Li-Fi. Li-Fi is a latest and efficient technology of wireless communication between devices at a very high speed nearly up to 150gbps. This term was first introduced in 2011 by Harald Haas during TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh.

In its present state LED lamps can be used for transmission of data through visible light. This emerging technique is quite different from Wi-Fi and do not involve radiations for data transmission. By using this technique, we can transfer data of any kind e.g. music and other, from one place to another within no time delay.

Using light to transmit data allows Li-Fi to offer several advantages like working across higher bandwidth, working in areas susceptible to electromagnetic interferences (e.g. aircrafts cabins, hospitals) and offering higher transmission speed.

In this project, we are deploying it in a closed environment. We are transmitting an audio message in a tunnel in order to communicate with vehicles. So, our project can be deployed at commercial level i.e. Khojak Tunnel.

In the era of technology, where bandwidth and speed of internet is a major issue. Li-Fi works on a speed of light and bandwidth is not an issue in it.

Furthermore, light cannot penetrate through walls and door so if we design a lab using Li-Fi, the most important key point will be security especially in those area where critical and important data is handled.

As it is said that Li-Fi is the future of Wi-Fi, so this project will be the first step towards future. It’s efficient, less costly and also it consumes less power for its working.

Project Objectives

The main purpose of this technology is to transmit data at a very high speed nearly up to 150gbps within no time delay. In addition, it is almost impossible to communicate in tunnel with the existing methods like wireless fidelity and GPS etc.

Furthermore safety is also part of its objective. In order to increase safety, Information about the right way to behave in road tunnel, short route escapes and any kind of mishap that happens are communicated in the tunnel. The benefit of LiFi is not only limited to the above mentioned points but the factor of resource management is also involved in it.  Tunnels have permanent lighting for 24/7 days. In tunnel we already use LED bulbs for lighting, and the same light source can be used to transmit data. That makes Li-Fi very energy-efficient and can save on costs.

Project Implementation Method

In our project we shall transfer an audio message from the tunnel to the vehicles through visible light. We have two modules such as transmitting and receiving module. Both modules are placed at different objects, its means we are transferring information from the tunnel to the vehicles traveling through that tunnel. So we are deploying it at a commercial level.

First of all audio message is transmitted from the tunnel and received by the receiver of the vehicles through the visible light or LED. The Arduino detects the data and LCD shows data transmission process on its screen to assure that data is being transmitted. The transmitting module will convert the audio data coming from the tunnel into light by encoding process and transmit it to receiver. Then the receiving module detects the data being received and LCD shows Data Received on its screen and it starts performs decoding process. After that amplification of audio data shall take place. Finally, the audio will be played automatically at the multimedia of the vehicle.

For the convenience of the vehicles outside the tunnel, we also use the speaker which broadcast the audio message and informs about any current situation of the tunnel.   

Benefits of the Project

Using light to transmit data allows Li-Fi to offer several advantages like working across higher bandwidth, working in those areas which are susceptible to electromagnetic interferences (e.g. aircraft cabins, hospitals) and offering higher transmission speed.

Light fidelity is an effective technique to not only communicate but also in resource management. In Wi-Fi, we have to install access points that are far more expensive that the LEDs used in visible light communication which are also providing light in the tunnel. Furthermore AM radio (600 kHz - 1500 kHz) cannot propagate in any normal tunnel because the wavelength is too long (500m-200m) relative to the diameter, and thus gets reflected at the entrance. We generally need line of sight (or something close to it) to the radio tower to get a signal. That’s why LiFi is the best option for communication in tunnel.

In contrast to radio frequency wave used by Wi-Fi, light cannot penetrate through walls and doors. This make it more secure and easier to control access to a network.

Many treatments now involve multiple individuals, Li-Fi systems could be better system to transmit communication about the information of patients. Besides providing the higher speed, light waves also have little effect on medical instruments and human bodies.

Vehicles could communicate with one another via front and back lights to increase road safety. Street lights and traffic signals could also provide information about current road situation.

Anywhere in industrial areas data has to be transmitted, Li-Fi is capable of replacing slip rings, sliding contacts and short cables, such as Industrial Ethernet. Due to the real time capability of Li-Fi (which is often required for automation processes) it is also an alternative to common industrial Wireless LAN standards.

As it uses visible light for transmission and no radiations are linked with it, it will create green and clean bright future.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The final deliverable system is capable of wireless data transmission through visible light at a very high speed nearly up to 150gbps within no time delay.

We are transmitting data from the infrastructure to the vehicles in that tunnel. We are deploying it in a closed environment. So this project can be used on commercial level to increase safety of every individual in the tunnel and to provide information and guidelines about what and how to do if any emergency happens there.

We are presenting this project which is more secure, provides safety, manages resources, clean from radiation and have higher speed and bandwidth.

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry TelecommunicationOther Industries Others Core Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	68080
Arduino Uno R3	Equipment	2	2900	5800
LCD module	Equipment	2	1500	3000
I2C Module for LCD	Equipment	2	1700	3400
Amplifier Circuit	Equipment	1	1500	1500
Multimedia Module	Equipment	1	2500	2500
Data receiver Module	Equipment	1	1500	1500
Transmitting Module	Equipment	1	1500	1500
Power supply for Arduino	Equipment	1	1900	1900
Speakers for output	Equipment	1	2200	2200
Drawing board as base of project	Miscellaneous	2	2000	4000
Connecting wires	Equipment	10	95	950
Step down transformer	Equipment	2	1100	2200
Capacitors of different	Equipment	6	190	1140
LED	Equipment	2	7000	14000
Arduino connecting cable for laptop	Equipment	1	1200	1200
Diodes	Equipment	12	200	2400
Vero boards	Equipment	4	400	1600
Output amplifier	Equipment	1	4000	4000
Decoder	Equipment	1	1200	1200
Encoder	Equipment	1	1200	1200
Auxiliary cables for input	Equipment	3	650	1950
Silicon glue	Miscellaneous	6	210	1260
Soldering iron	Miscellaneous	1	780	780
Soldering paste	Miscellaneous	1	600	600
Glue gun	Miscellaneous	1	1300	1300
Solar panel	Equipment	1	5000	5000