Well... I think I can visualize a 100 Mbit IR link in theory. If we use Wi-fi like processing (256-QAM and the like), we'll only need 12.5 Mhz-class LEDs and p

Well... I think I can visualize a 100 Mbit IR link in theory. If we use Wi-fi like processing (256-QAM and the like), we'll only need 12.5 Mhz-class LEDs and photodiodes to communicate at 100 Mbit. (assuming 8-bits per 80 nanosecond or whatever). I'm pretty sure that cheap LEDs with 50 nanoseconds aka 20MHz speeds, as well as analog components with high-gains at 20MHz (I dunno, a 1GHz bandwidth-gain, giving x50 gain at 20MHz) are all possible. I think the article's claims of 9.6 Gbit are so absurd however, that I'm having a great amount of difficulty seeing how it gets there. I admit that I wasn't aware of the automation IR links that you posted. I'm impressed that IR has gotten that good today, but its not so good that its become unbelievable. The 9.6 Gbit headline on this article however is just absurd at face value. I really need to see a physical demo before I'll believe something like that. ------- I know that IrDA is a 90s standard made for far slower LEDs and components. But its a good baseline for thinking about the issues that occur in the space of light-based communications.