Fraunhofer Filtered Li‐Fi for High‐Speed Space‐Based Internet Connectivity

The exponential proliferation of Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations has precipitated a paradigm shift in global telecommunications, promising ubiquitous broadband Internet access. However, the resulting congestion in radio‐frequency (RF) spectrum allocations and the stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints of modern microsatellites necessitate alternative communication modalities. This paper investigates the feasibility, design, and implementation of Light Fidelity (Li‐Fi) as a primary enabler for high‐speed inter‐satellite links within satellite swarms. Unlike traditional free‐space optical (FSO) systems that rely on coherent laser sources and complex fine‐pointing mechanisms, this paper proposes a robust, cost‐effective architecture utilizing high‐brightness light‐emitting diodes (HB‐LEDs). This paper introduces a novel noise mitigation strategy that exploits the solar Fraunhofer absorption lines—specifically the H‐beta line at 486.1 nm—to permit reliable daytime operation by filtering background solar continuum radiation. A comprehensive link budget analysis, comparative technology assessment, and architectural framework are presented, demonstrating that Li‐Fi can achieve reliable high‐speed connectivity for formation‐flying CubeSats, offering a scalable solution to the spectrum crunch in space‐based Internet infrastructure.