The Internet of Things is a vast and diverse field that evolves as we speak. It is related to connectivity but incorporates a lot more than that. You cannot list one thing under the category of Internet of Things. It is a vast field that encompasses many aspects. Let us see which IoT technologies are some of the common types that a BS Internet of Things graduate can look into and get a view of what the program is all about. There are 5 most common types of IoT wireless technologies.

             1.       LPWANs:

The abbreviation stands for Low Power Wide Area Network. It is a new phenomenon in IoT. It provides long-distance communication, which has longer range, in less priced batteries which last for a very long time than usual. LPWANs is not just targeting and facilitating the common man of the urban areas but also works for people from rural areas just the same. This shows how vast its connectivity is. It is able to connect all sorts of sensors ranging from remote monitoring, smart metering and safety to management and building controls. However, they are only able to send a little amount of data at a low rate.

            2.       Cellular Service (3G/4G/5G):

Cellular networks are the most prominent part of today’s world. They provide the most reliable broadband communication which supports various types of phone calls and video apps. However, they have very high costs and charges. Cellular networks do not work in all kinds of IoT applications but they do work in cars, logistics or transportation otherwise. The latest cellular network hitting the market is 5G which offers high speed and low latency. It is expected that it will soon be able to support real-time video surveillance as well as industrial automation which is sensitive to time.

            3.       Zigbee and Mesh Protocols:

A graduate of BS Internet of Things should be aware of the different wireless standards available in the market including Zigbee and other mesh protocols.  While Zigbee has the lesser range and is low powered, it is usually incorporated in mesh topology in order to extend the coverage by the relaying of sensor data. Due to their less range, Zigbee and other mesh protocols similar to it are best for apps of medium range.

            4.       Bluetooth:

Bluetooth may be the oldest form of connectivity, however, it has a very short range. Its motive originally was to support point-to-point connectivity for data exchange. It then was modified and had a comparatively larger range but not so much. A BS Internet of Things graduate should be aware of these details when it comes to technology. It is more viable to use Bluetooth for connecting to devices like smartwatches or others for keeping a record of health.

            5.       Wi-Fi:

Wi-Fi needs no explanation. The abbreviation introduces itself. It has a few limitations when it comes to connectivity, however, it is the most widely used form of connection today. IoT is a vast field and one can pursue numerous ways.