Top 10 IoT Communication Protocols

IoT Information Communication Technology is a new way to transmit information from one person to another, or from a person to an object. This technology, also known as “connectivity for everything”, allows smart devices to move, connect and make decisions in the name of an individual.

The Internet of Things ecosystem consists of a number of smart devices which can communicate at any time, from anywhere. IoT is hampered by limitations in storage, radio range, and power. A communication protocol must be used to overcome these obstacles.

In 2020, the volume and reach of connected things will grow rapidly. The number of IoT-connected devices will surpass non-IoT internet connections for the very first time.

According to IoT Analytics (a market research company), there will be 11,7 billion IoT connections in 2020. This compares to 10 billion non-IoT connections, such as computers and smartphones. Researchers estimate that the number of IoT devices will reach 30 billion by 2025.

What are IoT Communication Protocols?

IoT Communication Protocols, also known as IoT Protocols, are a collection of wireless networks, rules, and IoT devices. IoT Communication Protocols allow IoT devices to communicate with each other. IoT is only valuable if the components can communicate. This ability to communicate allows data to be moved from the endpoint devices via the IoT pipe to central servers.

The communication is done through IoT protocol, which makes sure that the data sent by endpoint devices such as sensors is understood and received by subsequent steps within the connected environment.

IoT standards and protocols are integral components of IoT technology. Hardware is useless without IoT standards and protocols. IoT standards and protocols allow communication between all these devices, i.e. the exchange of information or commands. The data and commands can be used by the end user to extract useful information, interact with devices and control them.

Let’s look at the IoT standards and protocols that your business might use in 2022.

The Internet of Things is an amalgamation of embedded systems and wireless sensor networks. It also includes control systems and automation. This enables connected industrial manufacturing, intelligent retailing, next-generation health care, smart cities, and homes, as well as wearable devices. IoT technology can transform your business with data-driven insights and improved operational processes. It also opens up new business lines, improves material usage, and creates more efficient operations.

IoT continues to grow and evolve. With countless platforms, service providers, and millions of devices introduced every year, developers are faced with many decisions before they can enter the IoT ecosystem.

Also read: What Is IoT Architecture And Why Should Businesses Care

Importance IoT Protocols

While this summary may appear to be information overload protocols play a critical role in IoT implementations.

Simply put, different protocols deliver information in vastly different ways. Video call protocols, for example, may deliver data in an order that is guaranteed by other protocols. However, they may be unable to guarantee that only low data will be passed between devices. IoT security is another important consideration, as standard IoT protocols prevent fragmentation and can reduce security threats.

Today, many businesses do not optimize their protocol stacks. This is not directly a driver of value for the business. Particle’s standard solution is a great choice for most use cases.

Our approach has the advantage that you do not have to select a protocol, as Particle’s team of experts will provide you with a stack and referencing system. This aspect is taken care of, so you can focus on the end layers: the edge and the cloud.

Protocols are a way for network entities, such as gateways, routers, and applications to communicate. A protocol is a set of rules which must be followed for both network entities to communicate. It defines how they will interact, which values and attributes they can transmit, how the data is received and processed, and what security measures they will use, among other things.

The protocols that you choose for the Internet of Things (IoT), determine the complexity of the application and help prioritize the qualities that can impact performance and service, for example, speed, clarity, energy savings, or security.

Top 10 IOT Communication Protocols

The primary goal of the Internet of Things is to facilitate communication between objects other than traditional computers. The Internet of Things allows these objects to send data and receive it over a network. IOT has established a variety of protocols to facilitate this communication. Below are the most popular IoT communication protocols:

1. Bluetooth

The full potential of the Internet of Things can be realized by using standard communication protocols. More than a third of IoT devices are Bluetooth-enabled. Bluetooth is a wireless technology used to communicate between devices and create personal area networks. Bluetooth5 has features like high-speed data transmission, high-range, and high-range. Bluetooth allows devices to be connected over shorter distances and changes the way that they interact. The IoT features are useful. Bluetooth low-energy (BLE), devices that require less power, are perfect for IoT.

2. Wi-Fi

WiFi is a local wireless network. There is no wired connection. The Wi-Fi Alliance proposed it. WiFi is a wireless connection that connects devices in a 60-100 foot range to the Internet. The high-frequency signals are used to send and receive data. IEEE 802.11 is the standard it adheres to. Data rates range from 2Mbps to 1.73Gbps. We can configure IoT systems to be PAN (Personal Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), and WAN (Wide Area Network). Routing allows us to expand the network.

3. Bluetooth Low Energy

Bluetooth Low Energy is a Bluetooth that uses low power. It’s intended to be used with the Internet of Things. BLE has a better connection and is more energy-efficient than other technologies such as Zigbee. BLU is able to meet the data transfer requirement because IoT sensors only perform this function. BLE is used by smartwatches and medical devices. Fitness trackers, beacons, and home automation systems also use it. BLE is less energy-consuming and has a lower bandwidth.

Also read: Top 10 IoT Device Monitoring Tools

4. Z-wave

The Z-wave protocol is used to connect IoT devices. This is especially useful for home automation, to connect appliances. The mesh network and message acknowledgment enable Z-wave to provide a two-way mode of communication. Z-wave eliminates Wifi or Bluetooth problems. The Z-wave system includes Internet of Things controls and devices, also known as the primary Hub. The z-hub forwards messages from a smartphone or tablet to the appliance that is appropriate.

5. Cellular

Connects all devices without using smartphones or gateways. It connects the devices directly to the base station without any intermediaries. These connections are available even in remote locations. The cellular IoT allows for the creation of devices with less power consumption that can connect to the Internet, something previously impossible. Cellular networks can easily transmit small data packets. The 5G technology is the latest cellular technology that is quickly taking over IoT.

6. RFID

Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID), transfers data from a reader to a moving item in order to identify it and track its location. The reader does not need to be in physical contact with the item. RFID tags, RFID readers, and RFID antennas make up the main components of RFID technology. Most tags are used on the 13.56 frequency band.

7. Ethernet

Ethernet is a protocol for communication that was developed in the 1980s as a way to connect computers and local devices. The local environment (LAN) is also known as a local area network. A LAN is a shared environment that allows devices to share and receive information. Ethernet is a wired communication method. The set is expensive and not ideal for IoT communications because it doesn’t support wireless communication.

8. LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a protocol that can be used in wide-area networks. It is designed to increase the security and mobility of wide-area networks (WAN). It supports millions of low-power devices on public networks. It is used with bidirectional communications with a range greater than 15 kilometers.

9. NFC

NFC stands for near-field communications. Wireless communication is used to communicate short distances. The NFC-enabled device must be near each other in order to communicate using radio waves. The first device can be an active one, like a tablet or smartphone, and the second can be a passive one, like an NFC tag. Passive devices don’t require an external power source, but active devices do.

Thread is an Internet of Things protocol that uses Zigbee to provide radio-based Internet access for low-powered devices within a small area. Thread is similar to Zigbee and Wi-Fi but is more energy efficient. Thread networks are also self-healing. This means that certain devices on the network can replace a router that has failed or broken.

10. Thread

Thread is able to connect up to 250 devices. Up to 32 devices can act as routers. Thread is often used to run the newly-developed Matter protocol. This protocol operates at the application layer to support interoperability and compatibility between different IoT protocols and devices.

Conclusion

We learned today about IoT technologies: Zigbee Z-Wave LoRaWAN and Bluetooth. We also discuss IoT communication protocols like WiFi, NFC, and Cellular. We will be learning more about IOT through the tutorials to come. Stay tuned to learn more about this technology.