Projects – Update 12/24 - LiFi Research and Development Centre

The LiFi Research and Development Centre (LRDC) at the University of Cambridge is at the forefront of advancing next-generation communication technologies. Through strategic collaborations with leading universities, industry and research institutions across the UK and around the world we are tackling critical challenges in telecommunications and redesigning networks to prepare for the next generation of telecommunications.

The projects below showcase our efforts to shape the future addressing global demands for connectivity, energy efficiency, innovative communication solutions and the development of 6G and beyond. Each initiative highlights a unique approach to advancing optical, wireless, and hybrid technologies, ensuring the UK remains a leader in innovation.

TITAN

Platform Driving The Ultimate Connectivity

Led by the University of Cambridge, TITAN aims to design a seamless, open, and fully integrated Network of Networks (NoN), setting the stage for 6G and beyond. The project tackles challenges at the intersection of traditional networking domains to develop a secure, self-configurable, self-optimising, self-healing, net-zero and resilient system.

TITAN is a consortium of 21 universities and 4 associate partners, collaborating on transformative research interfaces of classic communication network elements to achieve the seamless, open and fully integrated network of networks. The project is the governing hub to the Federated Telecoms Hubs, alongside HASC, CHEDDAR and JOINER, as part of a £10+ million initiative to expand 6G trials, showcase experiments, and foster new partnerships across the UK.

REASON

Realising Enabling Architectures and Solutions for Open Networks

Led by the University of Bristol, REASON unites key players across the telecommunications R&D supply chain. Partnering with three major mobile network vendors, the project aims to innovate, develop, and commercialise technologies for future 6G networks.

The LRDC leads a work package focusing on enabling technologies for multi-technology access networks for future open wireless networks, including:

Advanced optical systems
Massive MIMO and cell-free radio access
Signal propagation manipulation tools
Ultra-low latency switched fronthaul networks
Multi-technology integrated backhaul solutions

TOWS

Terabit Bidirectional Multi-user Optical Wireless System for 6G LiFi

TOWS, coordinated by the King’s College London, explores cellular optical communications to create indoor Terabit/s multiuser wireless systems, delivering at least 100 times the capacity of current 5G systems. These light-based systems aim to complement radio frequency (RF) communications by adding 2600 times more spectrum availability.

TOWS addresses the growing demand for data-intensive services such as HD video, augmented reality, and virtual reality. By demonstrating future-proof wireless systems, TOWS ensures the UK remains a global leader in ICT infrastructure for 6G and beyond.

HASC

Future Communications Hub on All Spectrum Connectivity

Led by the University of Oxford, HASC brings together eight partners with expertise in wireless and fibre communications to enable all-spectrum connectivity. The project focuses on:

Developing comparative models for optimal wired and wireless spectrum use
Jointly optimising these capabilities
Creating a universal interface between wired and wireless domains

Partners will collaborate on demonstrations using testbeds, systems modelling, and a range of other activities to push the boundaries of telecommunications innovation.

GREENCOM

Green Optical Wireless Communications Facilitated by Photonic Power Harvesting

An international and transdisciplinary collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, GreenCom will revolutionise energy-harvesting from optical wireless communications links. The goal is to radically improve the energy efficiency of communication systems, which currently consume 2-3% of global energy – equivalent to all air travel.

The LRDC is developing technologies optimised for photovoltaic (PV) cells, balancing maximum power harvesting with signal quality under various lighting conditions. This project establishes the scientific foundations for energy-efficient communication systems.

JOINER

Joint Open Infrastructure for Networks Research

JOINER, led by the University of Bristol, is a national experimentation platform supporting The Federated Telecoms Hubs and other R&D initiatives. The platform will enable academia, industry and SMEs to test innovative network solutions in representative conditions at scale. JOINER will support the advancement of TRL and market readiness of innovative fundamental research, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

JOINER will foster collaboration across the UK telco ecosystem by providing an open and federated state-of-the-art experimental platform to support collaborative research and experimentation and test outcomes in representative network conditions and appropriate scales.

META-LIFI

MEMS-metasurface Based Tunable Optical Vortex Lasers for smart free-space communication

META-LiFi, coordinated by Tampere University, addresses the demand for higher wireless data capacity by leveraging the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light to encode data. The project will develop a breakthrough miniaturised, power-efficient OAM emitter with high adaptability and potential for cost-effective large-scale production.

META-LiFi aims to revolutionise optical communication with versatile OAM light sources and new adaptive digital encoding techniques for next-generation intelligent free-space optical communication and LiFi networks.