Wireless technologies at a glance: Which is the best solution for smart homes and IIoT?

How does radio transmission work?

Basically, radio transmission works by wirelessly transmitting information from a transmitter to a receiver using electromagnetic waves, or radio waves. The transmission takes place in six steps:

1. Information source: A message, e.g. in the form of speech or music, is converted into an electrical signal.
2. Modulation: This electrical signal is modulated onto a carrier frequency so that it can be transmitted as a radio wave. The reason for this is that most information sources have low frequencies, but radio waves require high frequencies to propagate well via antennas. Modulation therefore makes the useful signals ‘radio-compatible’.
3. Transmitter: A transmitter converts the modulated electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave. This wave is broadcast into space via an antenna.
4. Propagation: The radio wave travels through the air at the speed of light. Depending on the frequency, it can penetrate walls, be reflected or bypass obstacles.
5. Reception: A receiving antenna picks up the radio waves. The receiver separates the useful signal, i.e. the voice message or music, from the carrier frequency. This process is also called demodulation.
6. Processing: The received signal is converted back into an understandable format, for example as sound from a loudspeaker.

Wireless technologies at a glance

Today, there are numerous wireless technologies that are used constantly and everywhere in our everyday lives. However, they differ significantly in terms of range, energy requirements, data throughput, data transfer rates and transmission quality. Depending on the technology, different frequency ranges are used, ranging from a few kilohertz to several gigahertz. Some systems use mesh networks to forward signals, while others rely on central gateways or peer-to-peer communication. The trend, especially in the IIoT environment, is clearly towards energy-efficient, secure and scalable solutions. The most important wireless standards include:

• WiFi
• Bluetooth & Bluetooth Low Energy
• Ultra-Wideband
• ZigBee
• Thread
• Low Power Wide Area Network
• LoRaWAN
• Near Field Communication

The most important wireless technologies and their applications in detail

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is probably the best known and most widely used wireless technology for local networks. Based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, WLAN enables fast data transmission over short to medium distances. Typically, a 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz band is used for this purpose. The high bandwidth makes Wi-Fi ideal for data-intensive applications, but at the expense of higher energy consumption.

Compared to other technologies such as Zigbee or Thread, Wi-Fi is less energy-efficient and does not offer native mesh functionality. Nevertheless, it can be combined excellently with these systems, for example as a bridge between the local network and the cloud connection.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Internet connection for smart devices (TV, speakers, thermostats)
• Cloud connection of sensors and actuators
• Camera streaming and video surveillance

Areas of application in IIOT

• Machine networking with high data volumes
• Edge computing systems in manufacturing
• Temporary networks for commissioning and maintenance

Bluetooth / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Bluetooth is the most widely used wireless technology, as the standard is now implemented in every mobile device. Due to its medium range, the technology is mainly used in close proximity. While classic Bluetooth is mainly used for audio transmission, Bluetooth Low Energy is primarily used for energy-efficient communication with low data rates. BLE typically uses a central, powerful device for data calculation and storage, as well as a peripheral device that can perform measurements and transmit the data obtained to the central device.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Connecting smartphones to household appliances
• Controlling lamps, speakers or smart locks
• Wearables for health monitoring, such as CGM sensors for diabetics

Areas of application in the IIOT

• Sensor communication in industrial plants
• Maintenance and diagnostic data for mobile devices
• Indoor navigation for employees

Ultra-wideband (UWB)

UWB, or ultra-wideband, is a high-frequency technology that is particularly impressive due to its precise distance measurement. It uses a very wide frequency spectrum with very short pulses, which enables accurate positioning to within a few centimetres. UWB is not a classic radio technology for data communication such as Wi-Fi or Zigbee, but is primarily used for positioning.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Position-based automation (e.g. lights when someone approaches)
• Enhanced security through access control

Areas of application in IIOT

• Real-time localisation of tools and goods
• Navigation of robots and autonomous vehicles
• Access and security controls in high-security zones

ZigBee

ZigBee is a wireless protocol that was developed specifically for energy-efficient data exchange over short distances. It is particularly suitable for applications where only small amounts of data are transmitted, making it ideal for smart home applications. Despite its relatively low profile, the technology is already in use in many households, for example in smart lighting systems, sensors and control devices. Zigbee’s great strength lies in its mesh network architecture, which allows devices to communicate with each other and relay signals. Zigbee competes with Thread, but differs in its stronger focus on central hubs.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Lighting systems (e.g. Philips Hue)
• Temperature control
• Alarm and security solutions

Areas of application in IIOT

• Sensor networks for temperature, humidity or motion measurement
• Building automation in industrial plants

Thread

Thread is a relatively new wireless technology that is also based on IEEE 802.15.4 but is IP-enabled. This means that devices can communicate directly with each other via IPv6. Unlike Zigbee, Thread does not require a central hub and supports a robust mesh network. Thread is the basis of many new smart home platforms such as Matter and promises interoperability and easy integration.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Future-proof home networking via Matter
• Light, sensor and device control
• Local, hub-free control via mobile devices

Areas of application in IIOT

• Scalable sensor networks with IP addresses
• Interoperable communication with backend systems
• Infrastructure-independent automation solutions

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN)

LPWAN is not a single technology, but rather a category for long-range, energy-efficient remote radio solutions with low data rates. Typical examples include LoRaWAN, Sigfox and NB-IoT. These technologies are ideal for use over several kilometres and for devices with long battery life. They use sub-GHz frequencies and therefore have very good penetration.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Remote meter reading (electricity, water, gas)
• Outdoor environmental monitoring
• Connection of remote properties

Areas of application in IIOT

• Agriculture, e.g. soil moisture, weather stations
• Urban development, e.g. smart parking, waste management
• Monitoring of infrastructure, e.g. bridges, pipes

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN is one of the best-known LPWAN technologies. It uses the licence-free sub-GHz band and is based on an open protocol. Its range can be up to 15 km in rural areas. LoRaWAN is ideal for battery-powered sensors with low data volumes. In combination with gateways and the LoRa cloud, large networks can be managed efficiently.

Areas of application in smart homes

• Remote monitoring of gardens, pools or photovoltaic systems
• Security and alarm systems in outdoor facilities

Areas of application in IIOT

• Integration into smart city offerings, e.g. traffic
• Monitoring of warehouses and transport logistics
• Condition monitoring of hard-to-access machines

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Near Field Communication is a radio technology for short-range transmission. With a range of around 10 cm, NFC is primarily suitable for data exchange between devices that are in close proximity to each other. It is based on RFID and is often used for contactless payments with smartphones or smart watches.

Areas of application in the smart home

• Access systems (digital front door keys)
• Contactless payment
• Contactless pairing of devices

Areas of application in IIOT

• Identification of machines or components
• Access control systems in buildings
• Digital decryption and encryption of vehicles

Conclusion: No one-size-fits-all solution – but the right combination

The world of wireless technologies is diverse, and that is precisely its strength. While Wi-Fi delivers large amounts of data, Zigbee and Thread score points with energy-efficient mesh networks. LoRaWAN enables long ranges, while UWB and NFC impress with their precision and proximity. As a result, the networking possibilities are already enormous and will probably become even greater in the future. Whether smart home or Industry 4.0 – the future is wireless.

In practice, a single technology is rarely used; instead, a combination that is perfectly tailored to individual requirements is employed. We would be happy to advise you on the right wireless standards for your application and support you from selection to implementation.

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