Welcome to LEDs Magazine’s Connected SSL & Controls newsletter for Jan. 23, 2023. If I had to pick one word to describe the connectivity landscape of our 2022 coverage, I would use “Li-Fi,” and that continues to perk up our ears in 2023. Longtime readers may remember that our editorial staff have had friendly arguments about the viability of the light-based communications technology, its limitations, and its prospects outside of very niche environments. Well, since those days we have reported on advances in speed, potential loosening of line-of-sight constraints, and the capabilities of LEDs versus lasers. Perhaps those niche environments are exactly where Li-Fi belongs as a solution to overworked networks.

And you may be wondering why we've included a news story on horticultural lighting developer Sollum Technologies. For those who weren't aware, that company's differentiating offering is a sophisticated cloud-based lighting management system that while wireless does not utilize Li-Fi. I'm wondering if the technologies will see combination in controlled environment agriculture. I’d love to hear what you think!

Also, I want to remind everyone that our BrightStar Awards program is still open for entries and we’ve updated our FAQs to help you. Don’t miss an exciting opportunity to tout your latest LED and lighting technology innovations and their contribution to advancing solid-state lighting into application. Your products can’t be considered if you don’t enter by Jan. 31!

Please stay in touch about content we publish and to propose contributed articles.

Carrie Meadows, [email protected]