Definition of PAN (Personal Area Network

(Personal Area Network – Personal Area Network). PAN is a computer network for interconnecting devices centered around the workspace of an individual person. A PAN provides data transmission between devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and personal digital assistants.

PANs can be used for communication between personal devices themselves or to connect to a higher-level network and the Internet (an uplink) where a master device takes on the role of gateway. A PAN can be transported over wired computer buses such as USB.

A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a low-power PAN that is carried over short-distance wireless networking technology, such as IrDA, wireless USB, Bluetooth, and ZigBee. The range of a WPAN varies from a few centimeters to a few meters.

Wireless Personal Area Network

A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a personal area network in which the connections are wireless. IEEE 802.15 has produced standards for various types of PANs that operate in the ISM band, including Bluetooth.

The Infrared Data Association has produced standards for WPANs that operate using infrared communications.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth uses short-range radio waves. Although historically covering shorter distances associated with a PAN, the Bluetooth 5 standard, Bluetooth Mesh, has extended that range considerably. Additionally, long-range Bluetooth routers with increased antenna arrays connect Bluetooth devices up to 300 meters.

Uses in a PAN include, for example, Bluetooth devices such as keyboards, pointing devices, printers can connect to personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, or computers.

A Bluetooth PAN is also known as a piconet (a combination of the prefix «pico» meaning very small or one billionth, and network), and is made up of up to 8 active devices in a master-slave relationship (a large number of devices). can be connected in «parked» mode). The first Bluetooth device on the piconet is the master, and all other devices are slaves that communicate with the master.

A piconet typically has a range of 10 meters, although ranges of up to 100 meters can be achieved under ideal circumstances. With Bluetooth mesh networking, the range and number of devices is extended by transmitting information from one to another. Such a network does not have a master device and may or may not be treated as a PAN.

IrDA

IrDA uses infrared light, which has a frequency below the sensitivity of the human eye. Infrared in general is used, for example, in TV remote controls. Typical WPAN devices that use IrDA include printers, keyboards, and other serial communication interfaces.

See: IrDA.

Advantages of PAN networks

Does not require additional extra space

The personal area network does not require additional cable or space. To connect two devices, you just need to enable Bluetooth on both devices to start sharing data between them. For example, connect the wireless keyboard and mouse with the tablet via Bluetooth.

Connect to multiple devices at once

Many devices can be connected to one device at the same time on a personal area network. You can connect a mobile device to many other mobile devices or tablets to share files.

economical

No additional cables are needed in this type of network. Plus, there are no additional data charges, making PAN an affordable way to communicate.

easy to use

It is easy to use. No advanced configuration is required. It is getting easier to configure.

trustworthy

If you use this type of data connection within 10 meters or not much more, then your network is stable and reliable.

Sure

This network is protected because all devices are authorized before sharing data. Third party injection and data hacking are not possible in PAN.

Used in offices, conferences and meetings

Infrared is the technology used in TV remotes, AC remotes, and other devices. Bluetooth, infrared, and other types of PANs are used to interconnect digital devices in offices, meetings, and conferences.

Synchronize data between different devices

One person can synchronize multiple devices, that is, download, upload and exchange data between devices of different types and from different manufacturers.

portable

A person can move devices since it is a wireless network and data exchange is not affected. That means PAN is also portable. In addition, the devices are usually lightweight and portable.

Disadvantages of the personal area network

less distance range

The range of the signal is a maximum of a few meters, which limits long-distance exchange.

Interference with radio signals:

Since the personal area network uses infrared and radio signals, they can be interfered with by other signals.

slow data transfer

Bluetooth and infrared have a slow data transfer rate compared to other types of networks such as LAN (Local Area Network).

Health problem?

There is no scientific evidence to support this disadvantage at the moment, but many warn against the excessive use of powerful wireless signals near the human body.

Infrared signals travel in straight lines

The problem with infrared signals is that they only travel in straight lines.

Examples of personal area network

– Wireless keyboards
– Wireless mice
– Smart phones
– TV remote controls
– Wireless printers
– Game consoles

Technologies for smartphones include Infrared, Bluetooth, FireWire, ZigBee, Ultrawideband, Wibree, Wireless USB.