Design and Implementation of Vehicle Identification Using Li-Fi Technology

Abstract

The project titled \"Design and Implementation of Vehicle Identification Using Li-Fi Technology\" addresses the limitations of existing vehicle identification systems, which typically rely on RFID and camera-based solutions. These systems face challenges such as limited bandwidth, interference from radio signals or lighting conditions. To overcome these issues, we propose a Li-Fi-based vehicle identification system, leveraging light as the medium for data transmission. LI-FI is a wireless communication technology that uses light, specifically LED bulbs, to transmit data, offering potentially higher speeds and bandwidth. Li-Fi offers several advantages, including higher bandwidth, faster data rates, and immunity to radio frequency interference. In our system, vehicle data is transmitted via LED lights to a photo-detector placed on the road, ensuring efficient, real-time identification even in challenging environments. The system is designed to minimize the effects of ambient light and other interferences, offering a reliable and scalable alternative for modern traffic management.

Introduction

Overview of Li-Fi Technology

• Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is a wireless communication method using visible light (LEDs) instead of radio waves to transmit data by rapidly modulating light signals invisible to the human eye.

• First proposed in 2011, Li-Fi offers high-speed, secure data transfer, with advantages such as immunity to electromagnetic interference, enhanced security (light can’t penetrate walls), and operation outside crowded RF bands.

• Li-Fi data rates have reached over 224 Gbit/s experimentally, and it is potentially cheaper and faster than Wi-Fi.

• However, Li-Fi signals have limited range since visible light cannot penetrate walls, requiring line-of-sight or reflected light communication.

Li-Fi in Vehicle Identification Systems

• Vehicles use their LED headlights as Li-Fi transmitters, sending modulated light signals encoding unique vehicle IDs and other data (timestamps, speed, owner info).

• Roadside receivers equipped with photodiodes detect these signals, filter ambient light, and decode the data.

• Receivers are strategically placed (e.g., near speed breakers) to slow vehicles for more accurate data capture; multiple receivers at one location help avoid data loss in traffic.

• The decoded information supports applications like toll collection, traffic monitoring, law enforcement, and even fake number plate detection by verifying transmitted IDs against central databases.

System Architecture & Operation

• A microcontroller in the vehicle processes vehicle data and modulates it into LED light pulses.

• The roadside photodiode receiver captures modulated light, filters noise, demodulates, and decodes the signal.

• The decoded vehicle data can be stored locally or sent to central systems for real-time management.

• The transmitter is designed for low power consumption, integrates with existing vehicle LEDs, and uses error correction for reliable communication.

Data Transmission Process

• Vehicle ID data is encoded using fast flickering LEDs (e.g., Pulse Position Modulation).

• Roadside photodiodes detect and process signals despite ambient light interference.

• Real-time transmission enables smart traffic management and supports connected/autonomous vehicle communication.

Prototype and Implementation

• The system prototype consists of an LED transmitter, photodiode receiver, and microcontroller for signal processing.

• Decoded data is displayed on an LCD or sent to a database.

• Sample microcontroller code manages data transmission, decoding, and output.

Key Advantages of Li-Fi for Vehicle ID

• High data speeds for real-time transmission

• Immunity to RF interference common in urban environments

• Enhanced security due to limited light penetration

• High spatial reuse allowing many vehicles to communicate simultaneously

• Compatibility with existing LED infrastructure for cost-effective deployment

Conclusion

The project \"Design and Implementation of Vehicle Identification Using Li-Fi Technology\" successfully demonstrates the potential of Li-Fi as a reliable and efficient method for vehicle identification. By leveraging light as a medium for data transmission, the system offers an innovative alternative to traditional radio-frequency-based systems, which are often subject to bandwidth limitations and interference. Our prototype effectively transmits vehicle identification data through visible light using LED modulation, while the receiver, placed on strategic points such as speed breakers, captures the transmitted signals, filters out ambient light noise, and decodes the information in real-time. Through simulation and testing, the system has shown robustness in handling environmental challenges such as interference from sunlight and noise. High-frequency modulation, unique vehicle IDs, and error correction mechanisms further enhance its reliability. MATLAB and Simulink simulations confirm that the system can decode vehicle IDs with minimal signal degradation. While the prototype has demonstrated promising results, future work could involve improving transmission distance, optimizing real-world deployment in traffic systems, and addressing challenges posed by varying lighting conditions. Overall, this project highlights the viability of Li-Fi technology in smart transportation systems and opens avenues for its integration into intelligent vehicle management and identification solutions.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mrs. Dhanalakshmi K., Abdul Rahman S., Fayas Ahamed H. B. , Kannan A., Mugilan M.. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.