Li-Fi for a Digital Urban Infrastructure: A Novel Technology for the Smart City

Corrado Iannucci; Fabrizio Pini

doi:10.6092/1970-9870/2504

Corrado Iannucci Eau de Web SC strada Maior Gheorghe Șonțu 8, ap. 3, 011448 Bucharest
Fabrizio Pini ICT and strategy consultant

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/2504

Keywords: Li-Fi, Sensors, Smart cities, Urban environment

Abstract

The process of “building a smart city” implies that the way a urban area provides its traditional functions be properly re-designed, in order to meet the often conflicting requirements of furthering the economical development and of improving the quality of the life. ICT can make available methodologies and tools able to support such process, as far as the new solutions are carried out within a global vision of the task to be carried out i.e. within a system approach. In such context, even traditional infrastructures as the streetlamp system of a city can reveal interesting opportunities, when coupled with updated technologies. Here, the potential benefits of moving to the LED technologies are presented. The relevance of Li-Fi technology is pinpointed. in relation to the ability of efficiently install wireless links for data transfer without increasing (or also reducing) the microwave background in a urban area. Also the data collection can be improved leveraging upon the already installed streetlamps: the ever increasing amount of sensors (required for many functions, from street security to environment protection) can be deployed without further waste of urban 3D space.

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Author Biographies

Corrado Iannucci, Eau de Web SC strada Maior Gheorghe Șonțu 8, ap. 3, 011448 Bucharest

Chartered engineer, with a post-graduate degree in Computer and Control Systems Engineering, he is entrusted with the design and deployment of information systems in Europe and abroad, both as a technical consultant and as a director of large IT companies. Member of various technical committees, he has been teaching “Foundations of information technology” and “Remote sensing” at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. His professional interests are the ITC applications supporting spatial planning and environmental management processes.

Fabrizio Pini, ICT and strategy consultant

After a BSc in Electronic Engineering, he has obtained a PhD in Microelectronic and Telecommunication at the University of Roma “Tor Vergata”. His professional experience has been focused on non linear microwaves circuits and non linear transmission lines. He has been lecturing for several years at the University of Roma “Tor Vergata” (Electronic Engineering Dept.) about localization technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, NFC) and mobile phone technologies (GSM, UMTS). Currently, he is lecturing about home and building automation at the University of Roma “La Sapienza” – CITERA.

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