WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES
IN AN INTELLIGENT BUILDING
There are several types of wireless
networks implemented within
enterprise and residential intelligent
buildings, many of which may
support M2M communications, IoT
and automated systems. Wireless
networks are notably described
as wireless personal area network
(WPAN), wireless local area network
(WLAN), wireless metropolitan area
network (WMAN), wireless wide area
network (WWAN), and wireless
global area network (WGAN). Each
wireless technology is pertinent in
today’s networks. All provide unique
functionality, offering different
signaling methods, geographical
ranges, and frequency usages. With
distinct value and functions, these networks
are commonly utilized in combination with
each other and will continue to be used
in a complimentary manner.
For example, Bluetooth (802.15.1) and Zigbee
(802.15.4) are technologies described within a PAN.
These technologies deliver short range coverage
and low power radio communications. Many wireless
access point (WAP) equipment manufacturers are
implementing newer Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
beacons into newer advanced Wi-Fi APs. This feature
Cisco’s forecast indicates that
by 2021, 63 percent of cellular
global mobile traffic will be
offloaded onto the small cell
or Wi-Fi infrastructure.
56 I ICT TODAY
FIGURE 2: Wi-Fi has become an essential and required utility in most enterprise
and residential markets.
offers the client additional remote management
functions, advanced location and wayfinding capabilities.
Thus, the WPAN (BLE) is integrated into the WLAN Wi-Fi
AP. The wireless designer must be cognizant of the
requirements for BLE and Wi-Fi when physically
deploying the AP.
THE EVOLUTION OF
THE WIRELESS LAN (WI-FI)
Wi-Fi access was prevalent for the use of connection
to laptops as the industry moved toward mobile working
environments and telecommuting in the 1990s. Since
then, Wi-Fi has become a necessity, often described
as an essential and required “utility” in most enterprise
and residential markets for human interfacing client
device connectivity, such as laptops, tablets,
and smartphones.
Both consumers and businesses alike have come
to expect not only an instant connection, but also a fast,
reliable, and uninterrupted connection. For countless
enterprise networks, Wi-Fi has become critical in nature
as more and more Wi-Fi enabled systems and devices
emerge. For several years, there has been a decline
in cabling port counts for traditional LAN equipment.