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Personal Area Network (PAN)
A Personal Area Network (PAN) refers to the connection of devices or equipment’s in an individual user’s environment typically within 10 meters or 33 feet.
This article gives an overview of PAN, Advantages, and Disadvantages of PAN, Examples of PAN, Details on Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), and many more details explained in detail.
Things to Know:-
Understanding PAN Network
PAN is a network that enables people who sit at their comfortable premises to connect and interact with each other. It is the networking that plays a key role in a link and starts communications between hundreds and thousands.
PAN is an abbreviation for the Personal Area Network. PAN refers to a network that links devices within a range of 10 meters.
The connection is possible with wired or wireless connections. The Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) is a small geographical network that responds to the needs of the individual user.
One or a few other computers, devices, telephones, video game consoles, or other electronic devices are included in a PAN network.
However, if several users connect their devices in the same house, the Home Area Network or HAN network is more popular than PAN.
The wired connection to a modem, which is further linked to multiple devices by either cable or cable, is given in this network.
HAN and PAN are both operated from one computer, but accessible across the network from all devices. Because of its versatility and capacity, PAN can be very helpful in offices and small network areas.
Must Read:- Different types of Computer Networks
What is WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network)?
The Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), if interfaced with computers, could carry out extremely efficient activities.
The Wireless Personal Area Network relies on the link between many devices. Once remote devices meet each other within a few meters, a WPAN offers a seamless and hassle-free connection.
The development and advancement of these innovations contribute to the effective running and functionality of consumer apps.
A clear framework is established between all office and home devices by further development.
How big is a PAN Network?
Wireless networks reach up to a height of 10 m (33 feet) with a few centimeters. These networks are a different category (or subset) of local area networks, which help an individual rather than a group.
Secondary devices can attach to a PAN and use a primary computer to operate data.
The system could be up to 100 meters wide with Bluetooth. Under some circumstances, PANs can still access the Internet.
For example, a PAN system may connect to a LAN that has Internet connectivity and is itself a WAN.
Important characteristics about PAN Network that you need to know
- Its range is generally short. The coverage gap is between 10 m and 100 m (Zigbee & Bluetooth) in a Wireless PAN network.
- Bluetooth is used for data transmission between devices, primarily used for low-data rate applications in home automation.
- PAN has the architecture of star and mesh.
- Zigbee, Bluetooth, Zwave, etc. PAN systems are used for low data rate and short-distance applications.
- In Zigbee PAN support 250kbps and Bluetooth support from Kbps to 24Mbps.
- In IoT (Internet of Things) networks, PAN wireless technologies have become quite popular.
- Devices in one PAN Network will connect to another PAN Network device in the range. PAN Network device in the range.
Technologies used to construct a PAN
Often USB (Universal Serial Bus) and fire-wire are connected to the PAN network together. This network can be wireless and can be connected by cables.
A PAN can be small, wearable, and embedded devices, which communicate with other wireless devices during close contact. Bluetooth or infrared interfaces are used for WPANs.
Bluetooth WPAN
Bluetooth uses short-range waves for communication. Use within the WPAN includes tools for pointing, keyboards, headsets of audio and video, printers, mobile phones, and computers.
Also known as the piconet is a WPAN Bluetooth. It consists of a total of 8 active devices that are connected with the master-slave system.
The first piconet is the master-slave relationship in the network. The Bluetooth long-range routers have a reach of up to 1000 ft.
In a mesh network, we can also use this network. In this way, you can move the data from one component to another.
Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
Infrared technology is used in the Infrared Data Association. Infrared is used for remote controls in general.
Many other devices use IrDA like printers, keyboards, etc. The limits of scope for WPANs vary in size from centimeters to a few meters.
Things to Know:- Generation of Computers
Examples of Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)
Some of the examples of Wireless Personal area network are as follows:-
- Wireless keyboards
- Wireless printers
- Gaming consoles
- TV remotes
- Bluetooth
- Smartphones
- Wireless USB
- Wireless Mouse
Advantages and disadvantages of PAN
PANs are for individual use so the benefits are more easily understood than for large area structures such as WLAN and MAN.
Below are some of the advantages of PAN: –
- Wireless networks save customers from the burden of cable management, often complicated and unwanted floor space. So no extra space is required.
- Bluetooth PAN allows users to conveniently control their computers and systems so that errors can be repaired quickly.
- Fast wireless system access and control to boost performance. For instance, a business can send and collect information to its staff using intelligent devices, all with a single PAN.
- Easy and efficient Bluetooth-enabled computer data synchronization and communication.
- With a wireless PAN link, the use of innovative new technology is easily made to help the client.
- PAN gives its users cost savings and performance.
- It is easier to repair bugs and faults in a PAN connection due to its easy structure.
- Bluetooth PANs provide its users with far more security.
- It is portable.
Disadvantages of PAN are as follows: –
- PAN uses a short-range Bluetooth communication that is capable of supporting only a few devices nearby.
- Often PANs can communicate on the same bandwidth with other wireless devices and interrupt the communication.
- Due to Bluetooth connections, PANs operate slower than other networks.
Difference between PAN and LAN
| Feature | PAN | LAN |
| Definition | It’s a network, normally, covering a very small area. This helps computing devices to connect and share information and data with other nearby computers. | The network connects computers within a limited distance, such as a house or a single lab made up of several computers. |
| Data Transfer | Bluetooth is used for the transfer of data between devices, especially for low-data-rate applications in home automation. | It is designed to transfer a high data rate from Mbps to Gbps. |
| Application | Designed for devices with low data rates and short distances. | It is mainly used in LAN and LAN wireless applications, where high-speed data transfer is required. |
| Range | The coverage distance in a wireless PAN (Zigbee& Bluetooth) network is between 10 m and 100 m. | The scope is usually between buildings or within a single building. The coverage limit is 10 m to 100 m or higher in case of wireless LAN. |
| Speed | PAN supports 250kbps in Zigbee, Bluetooth support from Kbps to 24Mbps. | 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps are supported by LAN. |
Since most devices that allow communication with short distances can block unauthorized connections, a WPAN is seen as a secure network.
However, hackers can still access unsecured PANs, just as with WLANs and other network forms.
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