IOT Networks

IoT (Internet of Things) network and its types.

An Internet of Things (IoT) network is a collection of networked devices that interact with one another without the need for human involvement, such as self-driving automobiles, smart appliances, and wearable technology.

IOT Networks

RFID:

RFID (radio frequency identification system) is an automated technology that uses radio waves to let machines or computers recognize items, record metadata, and control specific goals.
When an RFID reader is connected to an Internet terminal, the readers may detect, track, and monitor tags-attached items globally, automatically, and in real time, if necessary.
This is known as the "Internet of Things" (IoT). RFID is frequently seen as a pre-requisite for the Internet of Things. This article addresses RFID and IoT technologies, as well as the uses and problems of RFID technology in IoT.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that sends tiny quantities of data from an RFID tag to a reader over a short distance using radio waves.

Cellular (3G/4G/5G):

Cellular networks use the same mobile networks as smartphones to allow IoT devices to communicate.
Because these networks were originally designed for power-hungry devices like smartphones, they weren’t always considered the best fit for IoT devices.
Eventually, the cellular industry developed new technologies that were more appropriate for IoT use cases.
Today, this type of wireless network is very popular, and is considered a reliable and secure method of IoT connectivity.
Cell service is available in most locations in the U.S., and this type of network covers a very large area.
However, cell connectivity often isn’t available in the places that most need monitoring sensors—for example, inside utility closets, elevator shafts, basements, etc.
(Another IoT wireless technology class, LPWAN, might be a better fit for these locations.) And even though cellular connectivity is now less expensive and more power efficient than traditional telecom standards, cellular-connected IoT devices still require a great deal more power and energy than some other types of wireless networks.
Cellular networks, which are well-established in the consumer mobile industry, provide dependable broadband connection that supports a variety of phone calls and video streaming apps. On the negative side, they have extremely high operating expenses and power needs.

Zigbee and Other Mesh Protocols:

Zigbee is a low-power, short-range wireless technology (IEEE 802.15.4) that is frequently used in mesh topologies to improve coverage by passing sensor data across many sensor nodes.
When compared to LPWAN, Zigbee offers better data throughput but lower power efficiency owing to the mesh design.
Zigbee and related mesh protocols (e.g. Z-Wave, Thread, etc.) are best suited for medium-range IoT applications with an equitable distribution of nodes in close vicinity because to their physical short-range ( 100m).
Typically, Zigbee is a great complement to Wi-Fi for many home automation use cases including home sensor networks, such as smart lighting, HVAC controls, security, and energy management.
Mesh networks have also been used in industrial settings prior to the advent of LPWAN, offering a variety of remote monitoring systems.
However, they are far from perfect for many geographically distant industrial locations, and their potential scalability is frequently hampered by more sophisticated network setup and administration.

LPWANs:

Low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) are a relatively recent phenomena in the Internet of Things.
This family of technologies is purpose-built to enable large-scale IoT networks stretching across enormous industrial and commercial campuses by offering long-range communication on small, affordable batteries that endure for years.
LPWANs can link virtually any sort of IoT sensor, allowing for a wide range of applications, including asset tracking, environmental monitoring, and building management, as well as occupancy detection and consumables monitoring.
LPWANs, on the other hand, can only deliver tiny blocks of data at a slow rate, making them better suited to applications that don't demand a lot of bandwidth or aren't time-sensitive.

Wi-Fi:

The wireless technology that connects computers, tablets, cellphones, and other devices to the internet is known as Wi-Fi.
There is virtually no need to explain Wi-Fi, given its critical role in providing high-throughput data transfer for both enterprise and home environments.
However, in the IoT space, its major limitations in coverage, scalability and power consumption make the technology much less prevalent.
Imposing high energy requirements, Wi-Fi is often not a feasible solution for large networks of battery-operated IoT sensors, especially in industrial IoT and smart building scenarios.
Instead, it more pertains to connecting devices that can be conveniently connected to a power outlet like smart home gadgets and appliances, digital signage or security cameras.
Because of its popularity in both industrial and residential settings, everyone would know what WiFi is. The majority of IoT devices, however, do not use WiFi. WiFi, with the exception of a few applications such as digital signs and security cameras, is not a viable alternative for IoT connection.
The WiFi network's application in IoT devices is limited, owing to its short range, high power consumption, and lack of scalability. WiFi HaLow, a lesser-known WiFi variant, is now available for IoT devices.
WiFi HaLow extends the range of WiFi and reduces battery consumption. Industries, on the other hand, have been less supportive of the deployment of WiFi HaLow due to the network's lack of security.

Bluetooth and BLE:

Bluetooth is a short-range communication technology that is well-positioned in the consumer market, falling under the category of Wireless Personal Area Networks.
Bluetooth Classic was designed to communicate data between consumer products on a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint (up to seven slave nodes) basis.
Bluetooth Low-Energy was later created to meet small-scale Consumer IoT applications, and it was optimized for power consumption.
BLE-enabled devices are generally used in combination with electronic devices, such as smartphones, which act as a hub for data transfer to the cloud.
BLE is now widely used in fitness and medical wearable (such as smartwatches, glucose meters, and pulse oximeters) as well as Smart Home devices (such as door locks), allowing data to be easily transferred to and viewed on smartphones.