IoT Communication Protocols – Connect Devices Seamlessly
In this article, we will be going over IoT protocols mainly used for communication purposes. First, we will try to understand IoT communication protocols and why they are essential.
Then, after laying down the fundamentals, we will look into 6 wonderful examples of IoT protocols used extensively for communication purposes. So pay attention, take notes, and read till the end for the best benefits!
What are IoT communication protocols?
As I have already covered IoT protocols in depth in another article, we shall focus on communication protocols in this article. Nonetheless, a quick recap won’t hurt.
So protocols are the fundamental elements of an IoT environment. They enable the communication of IoT devices with each other over a network. Many protocols are customized and designed for specific needs. Protocols allow data to move from endpoint devices through the IoT pipeline to central servers.
But what are IoT communication protocols? Internet protocols are also known as communication IoT protocols as they help communicate or exchange data between electronic devices.
There are many examples of IoT communication protocols, including Bluetooth, Thread, Z-Wave, NFC, Cellular, LoRaWAN, ZigBee, LoRa, NBIoT, WiFi, etc. Let us look at some of these protocols in depth by discussing their advantages.
Zigbee
Zigbee is a protocol designed for mesh networks. Therefore, it is suitable for home automation applications as it is one of the most used mesh protocols in IoT environments.
Mesh networks are Zigbee’s strength because they have a short-range, low-power protocol and can extend communication over multiple devices. In addition, Zigbee offers a flexible, ultralow power, self-organizing mesh and a library of applications.
Advantages of Zigbee
1. Better scalability
Zigbee offers impressive scalability with an astonishing number of more than 65000 devices, and this is besides the gargantuan coverage despite the considerably low range of individual modules.
2. Long battery life
Due to Zigbees’s efficient low-power capabilities, it has prolonged battery life. Furthermore, this feature of Zigbee enables “implement and forget” as its battery comes for months after deployment.
3. Randomization
Zigbee uses randomization. This technique allows it to communicate continuously even when the network is dense. Hence, it is a strong point of this internet protocol.
The latest release, Zigbee 3.0, combines many ZigBee wireless standards and their features into a single package. Today, it is deployed in urban areas for applications that require low power consumption like street lighting and electric meters.
LoRa
LoRa is short for “long-range.” It is a noncellular wireless technology that offers long-range communication capabilities. In addition, it packs low-power and secure data transmission for machine-to-machine applications and IoT deployments.
LoRa is now part of Semtech’s radio frequency platform and the Low Range alliance, of which Semtech was a founding member, is currently the governing body of LoRa technology.
Advantages of LoRa
1. Long range
Long range is its name and strong point. Without wired connections, LoRa allows strong communication up to 10 miles.
2. High Security
Another strong point of LoRa is its security assurance of both devices and networks. It also allows bi-directional communication.
3. Seamless deployment
Lora comes with an all-inclusive technology package. This package provides end-to-end integration from implementation to services.
NB-IoT
NB-IoT stands for “Narrowband IoT.” It is classified as a 5G technology. This internet protocol was designed for networks requiring low bandwidth to support massive connection density. As a result, NB-IoT provides extended coverage with low latency aside from guaranteeing tried and time-tested security features.
Since 2016, NB-IoT has been used in scenarios with challenging requirements for enlarged coverage, like in rural areas and deep indoors. Apart from this, NB-IoT also allocated ultra-low device complexity and is considered an epitome solution to connect gigantic scales of devices in a single deployment.
Advantages of NB-IoT
1. Battery life
NB-IoT has the best-in-class battery life. It consumes the least power to offer the best battery life. How much? The answer is 10 long years!
2. Wider deployment
NB-IoT’s lower bitrates, capabilities, and better link budgets to provide connectivity without gateways enable wider deployments across varied applications.
3. Reliability
Because NB-IoT operates in a licensed spectrum, reliability, and security are assured, apart from their quality of service.
WiFi
It is one IoT communication protocol that needs no introduction at all. It is precisely how a smart home works. For example, when you tell Alexa to turn off the light, they communicate because they are connected to the same WiFi network.
WiFi stands for wireless fidelity and is widely suitable for home, commercial and industrial buildings. It is the most frequently used internet protocol because it offers fast data transfer and can process large amounts of data.
Advantages of WiFi
1. Privacy and security
WiFi is a powerful technology in modern security and allows control systems for small and large buildings and organizations because of its encrypted and secure data communication.
2. Easy to install
We know how easy it is to connect to WiFi. It uses simple steps to connect devices and easy-to-install processes that deliver user convenience and easy usage.
3. Fast data transfers
With great speed comes great data transfers. WiFi’s wide range infrastructure supports hundreds of megabits per second, allowing vast amounts of data transfers.
Thread
Thread is designed and built to address the unique interoperability, security, and architecture challenges in the IoT world. Like Z-wave and Zigbee, Thread is well-known for being a low-power wireless mesh networking protocol.
Thread is based on IEEE 802.15.4 radio standards and can connect thousands of IoT components. It also includes robust security features by default, and the communication protocol can self-heal and reconfigure upon increasing or decreasing the number of devices.
Today, the thread is used as an advanced communication technology. Hundreds of leading IoT solution providers have adopted it. This protocol has been deployed in technologies transforming home and building lifestyles.
Advantages of Thread
1. Direct connection
Devices compatible with thread can make direct connections to other devices they connect without the need for proprietary gateways or translators.
2. Flexible platform
Thread is a non-believer of the application layer. It allows its ecosystem to scale, grow, and evolve with the industry’s demands.
3. Seamless integration
Thread directly allows the device to communicate regardless of its connectivity technologies, like ethernet, WiFi, cellular, or LTE.
Bluetooth Low Range
We have all heard of Bluetooth and know how it works, but what is Bluetooth low range? It is an improved Bluetooth version for short-range IoT communications of up to 300 ft.
This enhanced version of Bluetooth is mostly used in wireless technologies in smart lighting and other IoT applications. In 2010, Bluetooth progressed rapidly to roll out Bluetooth core specification version 4.0, introducing Bluetooth Low Energy. Ever since then, it has dominated the smart lighting industry.
Bluetooth low range is a reasonably secure wireless technology encrypting communication signals at both network and application levels. Apart from this, there is even a Bluetooth low-range mesh model. Moreover, it is based on Bluetooth Low Energy and is robust and reliable. As a result, it proves itself as a solid communication framework.
Advantages of Bluetooth Low Range
1. Low latency
Bluetooth low-range protocol’s high data transfer rate prevents latency. Similarly, frequency hopping minimizes out-of-network interferences.
2. Scalability
This enhanced version of Bluetooth can scale to connect thousands of lighting devices without a single point of failure.
3. Robustness
Bluetooth low range is very reliable and robust as it simultaneously supports many-to-many communications between all devices in a network for reliable data transmission, even in vast device networks.
Apart from these, there are a hundred more internet communication protocols. So there is more than one protocol for every need. All you have to do is search and choose!
Summary
As you have seen, IoT communication protocols are the basic fundamentals of an IoT environment, as it enables the communication of devices over a network. You have learned the meaning of an IoT communication protocol and why it is needed. We have also gone through 6 fantastic protocols by looking at their advantages.