LeakageScatter: Backscattering LiFi-leaked RF Signals

Abstract

Radio-Frequency (RF) backscatter has emerged as a low-power communication technique. Backscatter systems either rely on active signal generators (spectrum efficient, but dedicated infrastructure) or existing ambient wireless transmissions (existing infrastructure, but spectrum inefficient). In this paper, we aim to make RF backscatter spectrum efficient and at the same time work with existing infrastructure. We propose to leverage the deployment of LiFi networks built upon LED bulbs for pervasive RF backscatter. We experimentally demonstrate that LiFi, which passively leaks RF signals, can be exploited as a radio carrier generator for low-power RF backscatter. We further design LeakageScatter, the first backscatter system operating in the ISM band and exploiting LiFi-leaked RF signals, without the need to actively generate the carrier wave. We customize the design of the loop at the LiFi transmitter, as well as the coil antennas at the tag and RF backscatter receiver, to optimize the system performance. We propose to opportunistically enable the oscillator of the backscatter tag in the software that could reduce the energy consumption on backscattering by up to 75%. Experimental results show that LeakageScatter achieves a backscattering distance up to 10 m and 18 m in indoor and outdoor scenarios, respectively, without using a dedicated RF carrier generator.