Laser technology transmits industrial data at the speed of light
20 April 2026 
Image: Fraunhofer IPMS
German researchers have developed a technology that transmits industrial data on beams of light instead of cable or radio waves, and operates at speeds of 1Gbit/s or more over distances of up to 10m. The Li-Fi (light fidelity) Grathus technology, developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS), can send and receive data simultaneously and is said to operate reliably even in environments where traditional wireless systems reach their limits.
A key advantage is its extremely short and predictable delay – deterministic latency – of less than 100 nanoseconds. This allows real-time data transmission, which is crucial for robotics and precision machine control.
Modern industrial facilities require machines, sensors and control systems to communicate with each other quickly and reliably. Traditional wired connections are often inflexible, and wireless technologies can be susceptible to interference. Li-Fi Grathus is designed to address these challenges.
Using light signals instead of radio waves makes the transmissions immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The system also supports full-duplex communications – transmitting and receiving simultaneously – which ensures uninterrupted data flow and prevents time losses.
Wireless connections offers significant advantages, especially in flexible production environments, where machines are reconfigured frequently, without compromising deterministic performance. It also ensures reliable operation in metallic environments, which can be challenging for traditional radio technologies.
The technology can be integrated into existing systems and networks without major modifications. It supports common industrial standards including Profinet, EtherCat, Sercos III and TSN (Time Sensitive Networking). As well as Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, it supports USB 3.0/3.1 and customer-specific interfaces. An extra 1Mbit/s side channel supports management, diagnostics and safety signals.
“The Li-Fi Grathus builds on more than 15 years of Li-Fi expertise at Fraunhofer IPMS,” says Dr René Kirrbach, the organisation’s Li-Fi group leader. “Our latest development provides fast, secure, real-time optical wireless communication for industrial applications and is compatible with numerous industrial Ethernet standards. Its robust design makes it ideal for demanding industrial environments.”
Li-Fi Grathus offers:
- Easy installation Unlike complex optical systems that need time-consuming alignment, or costly options such as beam steering or adaptive optics, Li-Fi Grathus can be installed and operated flexibly without any adjustments.
- A patented multi-path lens This supports higher transmission powers and allows simple manual alignment.
- Eye-safe operation Laser Class 1 transmission ensures safe use.
- A robust design The thermally stable, compact, plug-and-play design with a metal housing protects the technology.
The Li-Fi technology Providing reliable, real-time communications between controls, sensors and actuators. It is said to be ideal for applications that need fast, wireless data transmission. Typical uses are expected to include:
- Industrial automation
- Robotics
- Motion control (precise machine movement)
- Backhaul and backbone connections for Wi-Fi and cellular access points
- Logistics and warehousing systems
- Large rotating machines
- High-bandwidth channels for uploading and downloading sensor data to AGVs (automated guided vehicles)
The Li-Fi technology is available now as an evaluation kit that allows 1 Gbps wired Ethernet connections to be replaced easily with a plug-and-play optical link. The kit includes two Grathus modules, two Ethernet cables, a power supply, and is available from Fraunhofer IPMS.
Fraunhofer IPMS: LinkedIn
