Which radio technology for your connected objects?

Which radio technology for your connected objects?

Which IoT technology should be chosen to connect devices in a specific environment? This is a decisive question for any entity (companies, communities) committed to technological and digital transformation. We’re here to help you better understand the most popular radio technologies for your connected devices and their context of use.

Wi-Fi technology

Wi-Fi, for Wireless Fidelity, accounts for 31% of all Internet of Things connections. It’s a long-distance, cable-free connectivity option, convenient for linking devices and transmitting data over the Internet. As a result, this technology is quick to implement in IoT environments.

With Wi-Fi, it’s simple: high speed and plug-and-play installation, perfect for connecting anywhere without hassle. However, it also has a few drawbacks, such as high power consumption and a limited range of up to around 35 m.

The use cases for Wi-Fi, beyond smart homes, are diverse: tracking inventory, managing IoT medical devices, installing sensors and connected equipment in factories and businesses, etc.

Bluetooth

We can’t talk about radio technologies for connected objects without mentioning Bluetooth. This is a short-range wireless communication technology that accounts for 27% of all IoT technologies. It’s perfect for linking devices over short distances.

Bluetooth highlights :

  • low energy consumption
  • cost-effective implementation
  • ease of use and configuration

However, it is not infallible:

  • low flow
  • slower data transfer than Wi-Fi
  • short range (for small proximity connections)

Despite its limitations, Bluetooth has found applications in a variety of fields. In particular, it’s perfect for small gadgets requiring short-range connections, without compromising battery life.

The nearest example?

Smart home devices such as smart locks, speakers and lighting systems. Smartwatches, activity trackers and health monitors also make use of Bluetooth.

radio technology

Cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT) account for around 20% of all IoT connections. They connect you even in the most remote areas, ensuring a constant link where you need it most. But then again, they’re mostly equipped with robust security features. On the other hand, they are expensive and consume a lot of energy.

Cellular networks are also present in a number of fields. For example, the deployment of sensors connected to the cellular network in agriculture to monitor weather, soil conditions or water consumption. Another example is the use of cellular GPS trackers to manage vehicle fleets.

Zigbee technology

Think of Zigbee – an IoT connectivity technology – as a set of relays: each device transmits info to its neighbor, creating a network that daisy-chains to cover greater distances, without consuming much energy. This network comprises three key elements:

  • A Zigbee coordinator (ZC), which acts as the network’s central hub and stores essential information;
  • Zigbee routers or repeaters (ZR), responsible for transmitting messages between devices and an application;
  • Zigbee end devices (ZEDs), which represent the real IoT devices and applications.

Advantages include resistance to interference from other wireless devices and scalability. However, even though it’s fairly reliable, Zigbee has a limited range, from 10 to 100 meters, and some potential compatibility issues.

In terms of applications, Zigbee is ideal forindustrial process automation and equipment monitoring. Users can also take advantage of this protocol to track updates on medical equipment and for environmental monitoring.

    LoRa and LoRaWAN

    LoRaWAN and LoRa belong to the LPWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) family of technologies. With this technology, your IoT devices can communicate over long distances. This solution is commonly used with other LPWANs such as Sigfox.

    LoRaWAN offers many advantages, including :

    • remarkable range: up to 15 km
    • low installation costs

    The disadvantages of LoRaWAN and LoRa are their low bandwidth. The reason for this is that they sacrifice data throughput for long-range communication.
    Despite this minor drawback, they are good choices for many projects such as smart cities. In fact, thanks to a partnership with Synox, the city of Montpellier has implemented a LoRa-based system. This system uses radio technology to collect data from a network of sensors placed in spaces reserved for PRMs.

    radio antenna

    Ethernet

    Ethernet is an ultra-stable and robust basic wired connectivity technology. It’s one of the most reliable ways of connecting IoT devices, in the same way that your computer connects to the Internet using an Ethernet cable. This solution offers high-speed data transfer with little or no lag.

    Reliability, especially in complex environments, and resistance to noise are among its advantages. However, Ethernet can be criticized for its dependence on cable, and a range limited to the length of the wire.

    Ethernet is becoming an indispensable ally in the factory. It connects every machine for real-time, uninterrupted monitoring of production processes. It is also very useful in data center networks for rapid data transfer between servers and storage systems.

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