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LiFi-Out – Beyond Indoor LiFi: A Holistic VCSEL-Metasurface Framework for Outdoor 3D Communication and Sensing

Project description

Enabling efficient, reliable and secure outdoor light fidelity systems

Light fidelity (LiFi) systems are a revolutionary next step in the development of wireless communication technology, enabling ultra-fast wireless communication and sensing by using specialised LED technology to transmit data through visible light. The novelty of this technology brings notable limitations in outdoor reliability, security, and optical wireless communication and sensing capabilities. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the LiFiNext project will overcome the limitations that hold back LiFi systems by enabling secure and reliable outdoor optical wireless sensing and communication. The project will use vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, programmable optical metasurfaces, photonics, AI and more to design an outdoor-ready LiFi framework that integrates mobility-aware sensing, high-speed data transmission and centimetre-level 3D positioning.

Objective

LiFiNext aims to overcome the fundamental limitations of current Light Fidelity (LiFi) systems by enabling reliable and secure outdoor optical wireless communication and sensing. Building on the disruptive potential of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and programmable optical metasurfaces, the project will deliver the first holistic framework for outdoor-ready LiFi that integrates high-speed data transmission, centimetre-level 3D positioning, and mobility-aware sensing.

The proposed research pursues three objectives: (i) design of novel VCSEL-based optical front-ends combined with reconfigurable optical devices to ensure robustness under dynamic outdoor conditions, (ii) development of AI-driven beam control and adaptive channel modelling to guarantee seamless mobility, physical-layer security, and energy efficiency, and (iii) validation of the framework through experimental demonstrations using advanced testbeds at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the industrial partner pureLiFi.

The methodology is highly interdisciplinary, combining photonics, wireless communication theory, artificial intelligence, and intelligent mobility applications. Open science practices and FAIR data principles will be embedded to maximise transparency, reproducibility, and societal impact.

LiFiNext directly contributes to the Horizon Europe MSCA Work Programme by strengthening European leadership in secure, sustainable, and high-capacity 6G connectivity. The outcomes will open new opportunities for smart cities, vehicular and UAV networks, and next-generation industrial systems, while enhancing the researcher’s career development and fostering strong academic–industrial collaboration across Europe.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution
€ 276 187,92
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data