Types of Wireless Technology

Various types of wireless networks and technologies allow devices to speak (send data) to each other and to the web (TCP/IP Networks) without cables. There are a number of different wireless technologies out there that can be implemented in hardware products for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M) communication.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has seven task groups in place for 802.15 technologies. Those groups set the standards for common types of wireless technologies used for personal area networks. Those 802.15 task groups include: WPAN/Bluetooth, Coexistence, High Rate WPAN, Low Rate WPAN, mesh Networking, Body Area Networks, and Visible Light Communication. Each IEEE protocol has its own distinctive advantages and limitations. Promising developments expand their potential applications and uses.

IEEE 802.15.4: ZigBee

A wireless technology currently gaining traction in the LPWAN group, ZigBee is an open global standard and is designed specifically to be used in M2M networks. The technology is inexpensive to run and doesn’t require a lot of power, making it an ideal solution for many industrial applications. The technology has a low latency, and a low duty cycle, allowing products to maximize battery life.

IEEE 802.11: WiFi

WiFi uses radio waves (RF) to allow two devices to communicate with one another. The technology is most commonly used to connect Internet routers to devices like computers, tablets and phones; however, it can be used to connect together any two hardware components. WiFi is a local wireless network that runs of the 802.11 standards set forth by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

IEEE 802.15.1: Bluetooth and BLE

Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are wireless technologies used to transfer data over short distances. The technology is frequently used in small consider devices that connect to users phones and tablets. For instance, the technology is used in many speaker systems. Bluetooth Low Energy uses less power than standard Bluetooth and is used in hardware such as fitness trackers, smart watches and other connected devices in order to wirelessly transmit data without heavily compromising the battery power in a user’s phone.

IEEE 802.16: WiMax

WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. This wireless technology allows data to be transferred at a rate of 30-40 megabits per second. The term refers specifically to interoperable implementations of the IEEE 802.16 wireless family. The technology was once used by several mobile carriers, notably Sprint, to deliver wireless data to its customers. Sprint, along with many of the other carriers who used the technology, has since switched over to using faster LTE 4G networks for data.

you can refer back to the networking book (chapter 4) to read more information about the Types of Wireless Technology.

video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUXmfrbNJns

Resource:

http://www.link-labs.com/types-of-wireless-technology/

http://www.wireless-technology-advisor.com/types-of-wireless-technology.html