The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Chennai, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered a landmark Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with Nav Wireless Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The agreement, signed at Electronics Niketan in New Delhi, facilitates the commercialisation of two pioneering technologies developed by C-DAC: NLOS VICINITY and ILLUMINATE. Dr D. Ethirajan, Centre Head of C-DAC Chennai, and Mr Hardik Raval, Head of the Embedded Department at Nav Wireless Technologies, undertook the formal signing.
Driving Innovation Through Collaboration
The partnership underscores the potential of public-private collaboration in accelerating innovation and economic growth. NLOS VICINITY and ILLUMINATE represent advanced solutions leveraging Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology for applications ranging from indoor positioning to intelligent lighting. Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Sh. S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary of MeitY, praised both organizations for their dedication to technological advancement and their commitment to deploying these solutions in practical settings.
Sh. Krishnan emphasized the technologies’ transformative potential, citing their affordability, rapid implementation, and adaptability. He also highlighted the sustained efforts by C-DAC over the past two and a half years in refining these innovations and forging this partnership.
Breakthrough VLC Technologies: NLOS VICINITY and ILLUMINATE
The technologies transferred under the agreement include:
- NLOS VICINITY: A Non-Line of Sight Visible Light Communication-based Indoor Positioning System that facilitates smart proximity advertising, indoor navigation, and location-based services.
- ILLUMINATE: A Visible Light Communication-enabled Smart Indoor Lighting and Control System designed for RF-free zones, enhancing sustainability and intelligence in lighting solutions.
Both technologies were developed under MeitY’s R&D initiative, “Visible Light Communication-based LED Lighting Solutions,” and are poised to redefine their respective domains.
Visible Light Communication (VLC) and its Promise
VLC, also known as Li-Fi, utilizes light waves instead of traditional radio frequencies for data transmission, offering advantages such as higher speeds, enhanced security, and greater energy efficiency. Ideal for secure and interference-free environments like hospitals, airports, and defence installations, VLC aligns with the sustainable infrastructure goals of modern urban and rural applications. With India’s thriving IoT ecosystem and growing infrastructure, the country is positioned to become a leader in the global Li-Fi market.
Vision for the Future
Speaking at the event, Sh. S. Krishnan reiterated MeitY’s commitment to promoting innovation in emerging technologies, expressing confidence in the impact of VLC solutions on India’s digital landscape. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Sh. Bhuvnesh Kumar, IAS, Additional Secretary, MeitY, and Sh. E. Magesh, DG, C-DAC, along with senior officials and representatives from Nav Wireless Technologies Pvt. Ltd.