Li-FI-based data communication system using inter vehicular couplers

Abstract

The present invention provides a data communication system that includes at least one IV coupling unit which makes use of Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) as a physical medium for purposes of data transmission between neighboring coaches of an automobile with linear topology, e.g., a train.

Description

LI-FI-BASED DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING INTER VEHICULAR COUPLERSFIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is generally related to data communications. The present invention is more particularly, related to data communications via In ter- Vehicular (IV) couplers in trains and trains-like automotives.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Modern train systems and services provided on trains require train wide networking for data communications. This data communication has evolved from low bandwidth Multi-function Bus-based Train Communication networks to modern daytrains that use ethernet-based trains wide communication.

[0003] Since a train is a linear topology, it requires cascading of multiple ethernetswitches in series, where a switch installed in the coach works as a repeater for the next coach. Inter- vehicular couplers (IV couplers) are expensive and require extensive maintenance, leading to high life cycle cost.

[0004] In old trains, ethernet couplers may not be present and retrofitting these couplers requires extensive mechanical rework resulting in down time for a coach, at the expense of revenue for which the coach could have generated. In the absence of the ethernet couplers, CCTV system networking, Wi-Fi access to passengers or simple communications may not be feasible.

[0005] To address these limitations, Wi-Fi base IV data transceivers have been developedto couple neighboring coaches automatically and wirelessly. These transceivers permit a bidirectional data flow at speeds of up to 500mbps and there are sufficient applications. However, these suffer from limitations pertaining to radio interference in neighboring channels. As a train moves through multiple networks in its journey including platforms and public areas, Wi-Fi connectivity suffers extensive interference from other networks and causes extensive interference to other networks making Wi-Fi unstable. The data throughput also is lowered remarkably due to this interference. Further, as a train network increases in length, the cascading in the network causes packet latency, as every hop adds to the network delay. The delay is most prominent when the two ends of the train are communicating and can be as high as 120ms for a 24-coach train networking, causing the standard network protocols to time out.

[0006] The RF power of these modules need to be kept very low to keep the networking from interfering with wayside or other train networks in proximity, as the train moves though a varying geography. Further the beam angle needs to be made narrow to prevent reflections from metallic surfaces causing interference to neighboring train networks, especially in crowded stations and depots.

[0007] Limitations are also placed in the distance that the Wi-Fi networks can communicate over, owing to the limits on transmit power in the ISM band. Hence, a WiFi based network becomes discontinuous even if a single coach is inserted in the train network that does not have a Wi-Fi transceiver or an ethernet coupler.

[0008] Therefore, there exists a need of a data communication system in automotives having linear train-like topology that avoids network interference, packet latency and can be easily implemented as a cascaded networking system.OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to design and develop a data communication system that includes IV couplers which can effectively avoid radio interference and other limitations of radio communications, for example, problems related to installation and network cascading.

[0010] An objective of the present invention is to provide a data communication system that avoids limitations of wired communications, for example, problems related to installation and network cascading.

[0011] An objective of the present invention is to effectively increase data throughput and decrease packet latency, as an automotive network increases in length.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to implement a cascaded networking system in a train like environment.

[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to prevent network interferences to and from neighboring networks.

[0014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a robust connectivity during foggy environments, rain, or dusty conditions.

[0015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a low maintenance data communication system. A further objective of the present invention is to provide flexibility of installing the data communication system, to suit various types of linear topologies in automotives.

[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a redundant link between two vehicles, without causing interference to ensure link availability even if one of theseveral links between the two vehicles fails.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention provides a data communication system in automotives having linear topology, comprising: at least two Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 bi-directionally communicating with each other over a Li-Fi data link 112, wherein each of the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 includes: at least one ethemet interface 110 interfacing with and receiving data from a vehicle borne data communication module 113; at least one processor 108 receiving data from the ethernet interface 110 for processing, transcoding, and transmitting the data as a modulated light signal using a light transmitter; at least one light transmitter 104 receiving the transcoded data, from the at least one processor 108, to be transmitted as a modulated light signal to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and at least one light receiver 106 for receiving a focussed modulated light signal from a previous Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and a combination of at least one or more optical units 114 installed between the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 for concentrating the modulated light signal, received from one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, into a focused light beam that is packaged into the Li-Fi data link 112 to be relayed to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, wherein at least one light receiver 106 in the next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 receives the focussed modulated light signal for demodulating and packaging the light signal for consumption in a downstream network; andwherein a light beam angle from the at least one light transmitter 104 during transmission is calibrated to be narrow to create the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 such that the focussedLi-Fi data link 112 does not interfere with any neighbouring networks including neighbouring automotives, vehicles, platforms, or with any coexisting data communication links of at least two Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 coexisting in close proximity in the same automotive.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein at least one light transmitter 104 is an LED transmitter, and the at least one light receiver 106 is an LED receiver, and the data communication module 113 is a vehicle borne ethernet switch, and the at least one ethernet interface 110 is a high bandwidth network port, and the at least one processor 108 is an embedded processor.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein at least one processor 108 supports standard TCP / IP protocols for integration to train borne coach networks being seamless.

[0020] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein at least one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 is manually configured by manually configuring and controlling the at least one processor 108.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein one or more software applications are stored and run at the at least one processor 108 for automatically configuring at least one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein a single link network is configured using the data communication system including at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102.

[0023] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein a dual link network is configured using the data communication system, in which one communication link set includes at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 of claim 1, and installing the one communication link set on either end of the automobile to establish the dual link network and to provide a redundancy, wherein each of the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 in the one communication link set establishes one Li-Fi data link 112 with a complementary Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 of another communication link set, and wherein two Li-Fi data links 112 connect to a managed Switch network operating in a ring topology to allow an alternate path to data traffic in case one Li-Fi data link 112 fails.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein both of the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 are placed in proximity by using different light spectrums and / or modulation in both the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 in each communication link set, thereby at least two redundant links are packaged into a single unit of two communication link sets, wherein the two Li-Fi links work independently of each other.

[0025] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system,, wherein each communication link set of the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 is packaged in a separate enclosure, thereby producing two units, each with one communication set, and wherein the separate enclosures are connected to an ethernet network topology suitable for an end application.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 are packaged in a small commonenclosure for placing in the same location in close proximity ensuring the two Li-Fi data links 112 are always in line of sight, without any cross talk between the two Li-Fi data links 112, for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 to maintain connectivity while rotation or turning of the automotives by certain degrees including 180 degrees or less, or more.

[0027] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein different encoding techniques or spectrum of light are implemented in Li- Fi data links 112 in close proximity for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102, including on either side of the automotive, centre of the automotive, below the automotive or on top of the automotive.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein the at least one light transmitter 104 and the at least one light receiver 106 progressively increases their intensity and / or sensitivity in steps to hop over neighbouring coaches / automotives to form a Li-Fi data link 112 with a next coach.

[0029] The present invention also provides for a data communication system in automotives having linear topology, comprising: at least two Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 bi-directionally communicating with each other over a Li-Fi data link 112, wherein each of the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 includes: at least one ethemet interface 110 interfacing with and receiving data from a vehicle borne data communication module 113; at least one processor 108 receiving data from the ethernet interface 110 for processing, transcoding, and transmitting the data as a modulated light signal using a light transmitter;one or more software applications stored and executing at the at least one processor 108 to configure the Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 to automatically form a Li-Fi data link 112 when a complementary data communication system including a complementary Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 is presented in proximity and in line of sight, to achieve automatic coupling and avoiding manual intervention; at least one light transmitter 104 receiving the transcoded data, from the at least one processor 108, to be transmitted as a modulated light signal to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and at least one light receiver 106 for receiving a focussed modulated light signal from a previous Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and a combination of at least one or more optical units 114 installed between the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 for concentrating the modulated light signal, received from one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, into a focused light beam that is packaged into the Li-Fi data link 112 to be relayed to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, wherein at least one light receiver 106 in the next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 receives the focussed modulated light signal for demodulating and packaging the light signal for consumption in a downstream network; and wherein a light beam angle from the at least one light transmitter 104 during transmission is calibrated to be narrow to create the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 such that the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 does not interfere with any neighbouring networks including neighbouring automotives, vehicles, platforms, or with any coexisting data communication links of at least two Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 coexisting in close proximity in the same automotive.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 are packaged in a small common enclosure for placing in the same location in close proximity ensuring the two Li-Fi data links 112 are always in line of sight, without any cross talk between the two Li-Fi data links 112, for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 to maintain connectivity while rotation or turning of the automotives by certain degrees including 180 degrees or less, or more.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein different encoding techniques or spectrum of light are implemented in Li-Fi data links 112 in close proximity for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102, including on either side of the automotive, centre of the automotive, below the automotive or on top of the automotive.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communication system, wherein the at least one light transmitter 104 and the at least one light receiver 106 progressively increases their intensity and / or sensitivity in steps to hop over neighbouring coaches / automotives to form a Li-Fi data link 112 with a next coach.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] For a better understanding of the embodiments of the systems and methods described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, references will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements / components throughout andwherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram showing a data communication system including at least one at least one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0035] This patent describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scopeof this patent. The principles described herein may be embodied in many different forms.

[0036] Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0037] The present invention relates to a data communication system that includes at least one IV coupling unit which makes use of Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) as a physical medium for purposes of data transmission between neighboring coaches of an automobile with linear topology, e.g., a train.

[0038] Li-Fi communication has been used in a variety of applications. According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 , the data communication system 100 includes at least one at least one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 that may further comprise at least one light transmitter 104 e.g., an LED transmitter; at least one light receiver 106, e.g., an LED receiver; a processor card 108; and an ethernet interface 110 to a vehicle borne ethernet switch or data communication module 113. In a usual operation, the processor card 108 receives data over one or more high bandwidth network ports,such as an ethernet port 110. The data is processed, transcoded, and transmitted as a modulated light signal using the LED transmitter 104. A complementary unit, e.g., its light receiver, at the other side receives the modulated data in the Light wave, demodulates it and packages it for consumption in the downstream network. Data is received by the Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 from a vehicle Borne ethernet switch (ECN) 113, processed and relayed to the next coach over a Li-Fi link 112. The beam angle of the Light transmitter 104 is calibrated to prevent light being incident from Link Ito Link 2 and vice versa. More than 1 wireless links can coexist in close physicalproximity without any cross talk between the two links. This permits a redundant link or ring topology to be formed using the Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102.

[0039] In an embodiment, the processor card 108 is an embedded processor. In an embodiment, the processor card 108 supports standard TCP / IP protocols and hence, integration to train borne coach networks is seamless.

[0040] The data communication system 100 may also implement a cascaded networking in a train-like linear topology, where multiple Li-Fi based IV coupling units, like 102, 102A, etc., can be connected to each other to share data over the Li-Fi link 112, without need for wired or radio links. Implementing this cascaded networking embodiment, one transceiver (light transmitter 104 + light receiver 106) is placed on either end of a coach, which transports data packets using light as the physical medium, from a downstream network to an upstream network and vice versa in a full duplex mode.

[0041] The data communication system 100 further includes combination of one or more lenses or optical units 114 that focuses the incoming / outgoing data, containing light beam, to and from one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102. The light beam data that isprocessed, transcoded and transmitted from the IV coupling unit 102 is concentrated into a focused light beam using the lenses 114 into the Li-Fi data link 112. This Li-Fi data link 112 contains the data that is transmitted from one IV coupling unit to another in a network. The beam angle of the Li-Fi data link 112 is kept narrow enough to create a robust link 112 that does not spill over or disturb to the neighboring networks. Interference from other neighboring automotives e.g., trains or other neighboring networks, e.g., over platforms , or other link on the same vehicle in close proximity, is thus, totally prevented.

[0042] In an exemplary operation, data is received by one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 from a coach ethernet switch (ECN), 113. The processor card 108 included in the coupling unit 102 receives data from the coach ethernet switch, over one or more high bandwidth network ports, such as an ethernet port 110. The processor card 108 processes the received data and transcodes it. The light transmitter 104 then transmits the transcoded data as a modulated light signal. The modulated light signal(s) are thenfocused by the optical units 114 and packaged into the Li-Fi data link 112, which is then relayed to the next coupling unit 102A, where the focused Li-Fi data link 112 is received by the light receiver 106A. The complementary coupling unit 102A receives the modulated data in the focused Li-Fi data link 112, demodulates it and packages it for consumption in the downstream network.

[0043] Further, in an embodiment, the IV coupling unit 102 may also include one or more software applications stored and running at the processor card 108. The software applications may configure the IV coupling unit 102, to automatically form a Li-Fi data link 112, when a complementary system (e.g., complementary coupling unit 102A) is presented in proximity and in line of sight, thereby requiring no manual intervention. Thus, automatic coupling can be achieved in the present data communication system 100, byconfiguring the IV coupling units 102 using software applications.

[0044] In another embodiment, the IV coupling unit 102 may be manually configured by manually configuring and controlling the processor cards 108.

[0045] In an embodiment, a single link network may be configured using the data communication system 100.

[0046] In another embodiment, a dual link network may also be configured using the data communication system 100. For configuring a dual link network, one communication set includes two independent IV coupling units 102. The dual link network is then established by installing one communication set of two independent IV coupling units 102 on either end of the automobile, e.g., a train and provide a redundancy. Each IV coupling unit 102 of one communication set establishes one Li-Fi data link with complementary IV coupling unit 102 of another communication set. The two Li-Fi data links connect to a managed Switch network operating in a ring topology to allow an alternate path to data traffic in case one Li-Fi data link fails. An equivalence to a wired network is, hence, achieved albeit with a Li-Fi physical link.

[0047] In an embodiment of the dual link network, both of the IV coupling units 102 can be placed in proximity by using different light spectrum and / or modulation in both the IV coupling units 102 in each set. Hence, two redundant links are packaged into a single unit of two communication sets. The two links work independently of each other.

[0048] Railway Vehicles are rotated frequently during operations. Space on the endwall of the coach is often constrained. Mounting a single IV coupling Unit 102 at right or left sideof the vehicle will cause a misalignment as the two complementary units will no more be in line of sight. Packaged in a small common enclosure, they can be placed inthe same location at the center of the coach ensuring the two links are always in line of sight without any cross talk between the two links. This gives substantial mounting flexibility as mounting along the center of the coach gives flexibility to rotate the coaches by 180 degrees without losing IV connectivity.

[0049] In an embodiment of the dual link network, each communication set of two IV coupling units 102 may also be optionally packaged in a separate enclosure or a separate unit, thereby producing two units, each with one communication set. The separate enclosures are then connected to an ethernet network topology suitable for the end application.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present data communication system 100, to achieve a higher level of redundancy, multiple transceivers are optionally used to prevent a single transceiver failure from losing the Li-Fi link, thereby, improving overall network availability.

[0051] In an embodiment, location of the transceiver in the IV coupling unit 102 can be flexible. For example, a vestibule is provided in most trains for movement of passengers from one coach to the other. The width of the vestibule can be as wide as the coach, e.g., in Metro coaches, and is usually narrower in short distance coaches. The network can be established in a multiplicity of methods, without concerns of spectrum spilling over to the other networks. The narrow beam achieved through the use of lenses, 114, and ability to use different encoding techniques or spectrum of light in links in close proximity gives flexibility on mounting the IV coupling units 102, for example on either side of the vestibule, center of the vestibule, below the coach or on top of the coach.

[0052] In another embodiment, two or more Li-Fi data links can be provided on the train.

[0053] In an embodiment, by default the IV coupling unit 102 operates at a lowerintensity level, forming a Li-Fi data link 112 limited to the neighboring location, say, a train coach with a range of 5 meters. However, in case of a link failure or inability to locate another coach in its vicinity, caused for example, by a coach not having a complementary IV coupling unit 102, the system 100 progressively increases its intensityof transmitter 104 and / or sensitivity of receiver 106 in steps to hop over the neighboringcoach and to form a Li-Fi data link 112 with the next coach. The system 100 is, thus, configurable to seek connectivity by hopping over more than 1 coach.

[0054] It may be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the IV coupling unit 102 may include more operational components, other than the ones mentionedherein, for example including and not limited to memory for storing software applicationsand algorithms, display units, user interaction units, PLC controllers, and the like, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0055] It may be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the data communication system 100 may include more than two IV coupling units 102, and the number of IV coupling units 102 depend on the requirement and structure of the deploying architecture, e.g., the length of a train, number of coaches in the train, etc.

[0056] It may also be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the data communication system 100 may be deployed in any linear topology, e.g., train-like environment.

[0057] The present data communication system 100 preferably avoids use of wired or radio means. However, it can be feasible under certain special circumstances, that the presentdata communication system may include wired or radio means.

[0058] Advantageously, the focused Li-Fi data link 112 has the following characteristics. Because the lenses 114 are used to focus the data containing light beam, and the beam angle of the Li-Fi data link 112 is kept narrow, a robust link 112 is created that does not spill over or disturb to the neighboring networks. Therefore, interference from the neighboring networks, e.g., trains, platforms, etc., is totally prevented. Data transmission may be done in the infrared spectrum that does not get affected by the ambient light, due to neighboring RF networks and is relatively immune to dust, fog or rain. Also, using the focused Li-Fi data link 112, connectivity is robust during foggy environments, rain, or dusty conditions. A high data throughput of, for example, up to 1 Gbps, ensures that high throughput requirement application such CCTV footage, passenger information, announcement, and infotainment etc., can operate over the network. Additionally, train health monitoring over the network is seamlessly feasible without a need for a wired coupling in old or new vehicles.

[0059] Further, being entirely wireless there is nearly no maintenance of the IV couplers 102. Furthermore, the system 100 offers flexibility of mounting, which are all various embodiments of the invention, to suit various types of linear topologies, e.g., trains etc.

[0060] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A data communication system in automotives having linear topology, comprising: at least two Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 bidirectionally communicating with each other over a Li-Fi data link 112, wherein each of the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 includes: at least one ethernet interface 110 interfacing with and receiving data from a vehicle borne data communication module 113; at least one processor 108 receiving data from the ethernet interface 110 for processing, transcoding, and transmitting the data as a modulated light signal using a light transmitter; at least one light transmitter 104 receiving the transcoded data, from the at least one processor 108, to be transmitted as a modulated light signal to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and at least one light receiver 106 for receiving a focussed modulated light signal from a previous Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and a combination of at least one or more optical units 114 installed between the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 for concentrating the modulated light signal, received from one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, into a focused light beam that is packaged into the Li-Fi data link 112 to be relayed to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, wherein at least one light receiver 106 in the next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 receives the focussed modulated light signal for demodulating and packaging the light signal for consumption in a downstream network; and wherein a light beam angle from the at least one light transmitter 104 during transmission is calibrated to be narrow to create the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 such that the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 does not interfere with anyneighbouring networks including neighbouring automotives, vehicles, platforms, or with any coexisting data communication links of at least two Li- Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 coexisting in close proximity in the same automotive.

2. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light transmitter 104 is an LED transmitter, and the at least one light receiver 106 is an LED receiver, and the data communication module 113 is a vehicle borne ethernet switch, and the at least one ethemet interface 110 is a high bandwidth network port, and the at least one processor 108 is an embedded processor.

3. The data communication system of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor 108 supports standard TCP / IP protocols for integration to train borne coach networks being seamless.

4. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 is manually configured by manually configuring and controlling the at least one processor 108.

5. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein one or more software applications are stored and run at the at least one processor 108 for automatically configuring at least one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102.

6. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein a single link network is configured using the data communication system including at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102.

7. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein a dual link network is configured using the data communication system, in which one communication link set includes at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 of claim 1, and installing the one communication link set on either end of the automobile to establish the dual link network and to provide a redundancy, wherein each of the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 in the one communication link set establishes one Li-Fi data link 112 with acomplementary Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 of another communication link set, and wherein two Li-Fi data links 112 connect to a managed Switch network operating in a ring topology to allow an alternate path to data traffic in case one Li-Fi data link 112 fails.

8. The data communication system of claim 7, wherein both of the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 are placed in proximity by using different light spectrums and / or modulation in both the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 in each communication link set, thereby at least two redundant links are packaged into a single unit of two communication link sets, wherein the two Li-Fi links work independently of each other.

9. The data communication system of claim 7, wherein each communication link set of the at least two independent Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 is packaged in a separate enclosure, thereby producing two units, each with one communication set, and wherein the separate enclosures are connected to an ethernet network topology suitable for an end application.

10. The data communication system of claim 2, wherein the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 are packaged in a small common enclosure for placing in the same location in close proximity ensuring the two Li-Fi data links 112 are always in line of sight, without any cross talk between the two Li-Fi data links 112, for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 to maintain connectivity while rotation or turning of the automotives by certain degrees including 180 degrees or less, or more.

11. The data communication system of claim 2, wherein different encoding techniques or spectrum of light are implemented in Li-Fi data links 112 in close proximity for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102, including on either side of the automotive, centre of the automotive, below the automotive or on top of the automotive.

12. The data communication system of claim 2, wherein the at least one light transmitter 104 and the at least one light receiver 106 progressively increasestheir intensity and / or sensitivity in steps to hop over neighbouring coaches / automotives to form a Li-Fi data link 112 with a next coach.

13. A data communication system in automotives having linear topology, comprising: at least two Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 bidirectionally communicating with each other over a Li-Fi data link 112, wherein each of the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 includes: at least one ethernet interface 110 interfacing with and receiving data from a vehicle borne data communication module 113; at least one processor 108 receiving data from the ethernet interface 110 for processing, transcoding, and transmitting the data as a modulated light signal using a light transmitter; one or more software applications stored and executing at the at least one processor 108 to configure the Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 to automatically form a Li-Fi data link 112 when a complementary data communication system including a complementary Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 is presented in proximity and in line of sight, to achieve automatic coupling and avoiding manual intervention; at least one light transmitter 104 receiving the transcoded data, from the at least one processor 108, to be transmitted as a modulated light signal to a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and at least one light receiver 106 for receiving a focussed modulated light signal from a previous Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102; and a combination of at least one or more optical units 114 installed between the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 for concentrating the modulated light signal, received from one Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, into a focused light beam that is packaged into the Li-Fi data link 112 to be relayedto a next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102, wherein at least one light receiver 106 in the next Li-Fi based IV coupling unit 102 receives the focussed modulated light signal for demodulating and packaging the light signal for consumption in a downstream network; and wherein a light beam angle from the at least one light transmitter 104 during transmission is calibrated to be narrow to create the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 such that the focussed Li-Fi data link 112 does not interfere with any neighbouring networks including neighbouring automotives, vehicles, platforms, or with any coexisting data communication links of at least two Li- Fi (Light Fidelity) based IV coupling units 102 coexisting in close proximity in the same automotive.

14. The data communication system of claim 13, wherein the at least two Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 are packaged in a small common enclosure for placing in the same location in close proximity ensuring the two Li-Fi data links 112 are always in line of sight, without any cross talk between the two Li-Fi data links 112, for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102 to maintain connectivity while rotation or turning of the automotives by certain degrees including 180 degrees or less, or more.

15. The data communication system of claim 13, wherein different encoding techniques or spectrum of light are implemented in Li-Fi data links 112 in close proximity for providing mounting flexibility to the Li-Fi based IV coupling units 102, including on either side of the automotive, centre of the automotive, below the automotive or on top of the automotive.

16. The data communication system of claim 13, wherein the at least one light transmitter 104 and the at least one light receiver 106 progressively increases their intensity and / or sensitivity in steps to hop over neighbouring coaches / automotives to form a Li-Fi data link 112 with a next coach.

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