How to choose the best connection protocol for IoT devices

Whether you're reading this site on your phone, tablet, PC, Mac or Chromebook, you can easily count existing Internet connection 'types'. WiFi and mobile data are the only options available.

In addition, you can only use one of these connection types to access the website on the same device. In fact, it may be a bit pointless to discuss such a topic.

So what about IoT?

However, in IoT, the question of choosing the right connection protocol can make the difference between the device. Unlike the Internet, IoT devices have more diverse connectivity protocols, including ZigBee, WiFi and Bluetooth.

There are also LoRaWAN and low-power consuming networks like SigFox, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc. In addition, smart device manufacturers are deliberately selecting a set of this protocol and ignoring the other protocols.

Let's take an example of a few famous IoT devices and the protocols they support.

Nest thermostat : Running on WiFi 802.11 b / g / n, BLE and WiFi 802.15.4, more compatible with ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, MiWi and Thread.
Nest Hello (video doorbell): Running on WiFi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, BLE and WiFi 802.15.4.
Apple HomeKit August SmartLock Pro : Running on WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.
Philips Hue light bulbs : ZigBee 3.0, backward compatible with ZigBee Light Link (ZLL). To connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomeKit, you must purchase a separate device called Philips Hue Bridge.
LG ThinQ smart refrigerator : WiFi, Bluetooth or ZigBee through LG's SmartThinQ hub.

How to choose the best connection protocol for IoT devices Picture 1

Obviously, there are many protocols that exist for different devices, in different settings. IoT manufacturers decide to choose some connection protocol to match the market standard practices. Apart from Google Home or Apple HomeKit, there are many developing IoT platforms and trying to attract manufacturers.

Select connection protocol for IoT device?

As an end user, you only need to care about WiFi for your current IoT connection needs.

Currently, the guiding principle for most smart device manufacturers is to support a certain protocol while focusing on a common smart hub / bridge to connect to Alexa, Google Home and virtual assistants. other. Such hubs and bridges are designed to ensure backward and forward compatibility with any new protocol.

How to choose the best connection protocol for IoT devices Picture 2

On the other hand, smart device manufacturers use their own set of criteria to determine the connection protocol for the utilities they produce.

Smart home utility : As in the previous examples, smart home utilities must always support WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE or ZigBee. Utilities can be built-in support or via hub / bridge.
Building automation : BACnet is an extremely popular network protocol for construction projects. Building automation projects also use Z-Wave and ZigBee.
Personal devices : Some personal devices include a fitness tracker or smart shirt running on Bluetooth, BLE or NFC due to the low cost of implantation. In fact, these protocols will become extremely important in the future, with the aim of making any object smarter.
Proximity sensor : Sophisticated IoT networks depend on Edge Computing or Fog Computing. There, proximity sensors must accurately identify themselves and Beacon technology is playing a very important role.

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The importance of 5G

5G will play a very flexible role in developing IoT standards. From smart cars to drones or advanced brain surgery, the potential of 5G is limitless.

In the future, when 5G becomes cheaper, many IoT devices will begin to shift to support 5G. 5G really stands out and its applications will probably surpass all other network protocols.

How to choose the best connection protocol for IoT devices Picture 4

There is no consensus on the choice of network connection protocol in IoT. This is because new protocols are constantly evolving with their own advantages.

Fortunately, as an end user of IoT devices, you don't have to worry much about whether a protocol will appear or disappear. Almost all device manufacturers support backward and forward compatibility through hubs or bridges.

What is your favorite IoT protocol? Let us know in the comments section below!

Jessica Tanner

Update 26 May 2019

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