A number of shorter range technologies are used in smart buildings in conjunction with IoT gateways:
LoRaWAN
LoRaWAN, or Long Range Wide Area Network, is a low-power, wide-area network technology designed for long-range communication and low-data-rate applications. It is particularly well-suited for use cases such as smart cities, agriculture, and industrial automation. With its long-range capabilities, LoRaWAN can cover large areas with minimal power consumption.
Z-Wave
Z-WAVE, on the other hand, is a wireless communication protocol that focuses on home automation. It is commonly used for controlling smart home devices such as lights, thermostats, and door locks. Z-WAVE operates on a mesh network topology, where multiple devices act as repeaters, extending the network range and improving reliability.
ZigBee
ZigBee is another popular wireless protocol with a particular focus on low-power, low-data-rate applications. ZigBee can be used in various IoT applications, from building automation to healthcare monitoring and asset tracking. It supports network scalability and can handle large numbers of devices in a single network.
BLE
BLE, short for Bluetooth Low Energy, is a wireless communication protocol commonly used in IoT devices such as smartphones, wearables, and smart sensors. It is energy-efficient and well-suited for battery-powered devices. BLE enables short-range communication between devices and is widely used for applications such as fitness tracking, asset tracking, and smart home devices.
868MHz Systems
Lastly, 868MHz is a frequency band commonly used for alarms and telecare systems.
Modbus
Modbus is a communication protocol commonly used in industrial automation systems. It allows for communication between various devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers, enabling them to exchange data and control signals seamlessly. With its simple and easy-to-implement structure, Modbus has become a popular choice in the industry for its reliability and efficiency in transmitting information between devices. Its widespread adoption and compatibility with different manufacturers make it a versatile option for creating interconnected systems within factories and plants.