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Sensor-network protocol debate
March 29, 2006

Wireless short-range PANs (personal-area networks) show promise for use in wireless-sensor applications that don't require high bandwidths and that put a premium on low power consumption. IEEE 802.15.4 governs the low-level layers of wireless short-range PANs (personal-area networks) operating in unlicensed RF bands. But many networking-system companies and alliances have developed proprietary higher-level protocols to allow for unique features, such as frequency hopping to improve resistance to interference.

In sibling publication EDN, technical editor Margery Conner provides examples of such higher level networking schemes, including TinyOS and Zigbee, and she lists 13 companies with wireless-networking offerings.

Posted by Rick Nelson on March 29, 2006 | Comments (0)