The humble light emitting diode, or LED for short, has helped to revolutionise the sign industry in so many ways. And to think that the very first iteration of this technology was developed for power button lights on the likes of washing machines. Today the LED cures the ink in our UV wide-format printers, illuminates our signage projects both from within and without, and even act as the pixels on variable message signs and massive full-colour digital billboards alike. And the humble LED is not finished yet. The latest technology that could help revolutionise our industry’s technology even further is Li-Fi.

This uses the ability of LEDs to flash on and off instantly, at millions of times a second when designed for the purpose, to transmit information in the same system that semaphore works. But instead of a light beam going on and off in a series of dots and dashes slowly and methodically, Li-Fi can thus transmit massive volumes of encoded information in its own local area network.

Its strengths are that it cannot be intercepted from outside the walls of the building it is operating in, for the obvious reason light cannot pass through walls. Also, other signals cannot interfere with it—a big issue for Wi-Fi and mobile signals that can collapse altogether when you have enough people on one area—think how bad you signal gets in the middle of an exhibition hall.

Its application strengths could see totally secure local digital signage networks set-up and digital wayfinding tools triggered by sign posts, or it could help improve the RIP speed, performance, and security of your print devices.
Li-Fi’s development is currently in its infancy, but there are some very big technology players lining up to invest and drive it forward. Indeed, Orly airport in France has already trialled it in a limited test using the technology in ceiling lamps and modified mobile phones carried by its staff with the aim of developing a system that can guide passengers to their correct baggage carousel.  So, just when you thought there was no more technology revolutions left, another one lights up the horizon.
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