To advancing cutting-edge communication technologies in India, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Chennai, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has signed a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with Nav Wireless Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The agreement, formalized at Electronics Niketan, New Delhi, paves the way for the commercialization of two groundbreaking Visible Light Communication (VLC) technologies—NLOS VICINITY and ILLUMINATE.
The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, with Dr. D. Ethirajan, Scientist F and Centre Head, C-DAC Chennai, and Sh. Hardik Raval, Head of the Embedded Department at Nav Wireless Technologies Pvt. Ltd., signing the agreement. The partnership underscores the potential of public-private collaboration in fostering technological innovation and economic growth in India.
Sh. S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, MeitY, praised the perseverance of C-DAC over the past two and a half years in refining these innovative solutions. He emphasized the transformative potential of Li-Fi technology, citing its fast deployment, cost-effectiveness, and broad applicability in various sectors, including smart cities, healthcare, and defense. He also lauded Nav Wireless Technologies for their entrepreneurial vision in spearheading the deployment of these advanced systems.
The NLOS VICINITY system introduces a Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) approach to VLC, providing a state-of-the-art indoor positioning solution ideal for proximity-based advertising, indoor navigation, and location-based services. ILLUMINATE, on the other hand, is a Smart Indoor Lighting and Control System designed for Radio Frequency (RF)-free zones, ensuring energy-efficient and intelligent lighting management. Both technologies were developed under the R&D project ‘Visible Light Communication based LED Lighting Solutions,’ funded by MeitY.
Visible Light Communication (VLC), commonly known as Li-Fi, uses light waves to transmit data, offering unprecedented speed, security, and energy efficiency compared to traditional Wi-Fi. With applications ranging from secure military communications to sustainable smart cities, Li-Fi’s unique ability to minimize electromagnetic interference and its inherent security advantages make it a game-changer in wireless communication.
The collaboration positions India as a frontrunner in the global Li-Fi market, aligning with the nation’s goals of digital transformation, sustainable infrastructure development, and a thriving IoT ecosystem. This partnership is expected to catalyze the adoption of Li-Fi technologies across diverse sectors, enhancing India’s technological landscape and reinforcing its commitment to innovation-driven growth.
