The next advance in Wi-Fi will enable a long-range connection of up to 1 kilometer while consuming much less power. The advantages are being touted for Wi-Fi HaLow, which has now been certified by the Wi-Fi alliance, a global network of enterprises that provides Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi HaLow was created in response to the significant increase in the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As IoT applications proliferate in companies and homes, an increasing number of gadgets must remain constantly linked to the Internet. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi HaLow appears to be an ingenious solution to that criterion, one that "eclipses existing options."
When compared to present Wi-Fi, the new kind of Wi-Fi offers considerable battery power savings and can create connections up to one kilometer distant from the source. Wi-Fi HaLow also draws on existing Wi-Fi protocols and is compatible with existing Wi-Fi devices. This is a big benefit since it would not necessitate the adoption of any new Wi-Fi connection techniques or proprietary technologies. It is simple to scale in the existing configuration.
How it works
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| Changes to the present Wi-Fi standards, as well as the new HaLow. Image courtesy of ElectronicDesign.com |
The conventional Wi-Fi that we use to connect our gadgets to the Internet generally runs at radio frequencies ranging from 2.4GHz to 5GHz. These are designed to transfer a great quantity of data in a short period of time, hence the big bandwidth. Wi-Fi HaLow, on the other hand, operates in the sub-1 GHz range.
A low-frequency wave allows for a longer wavelength, which means that signals can travel further than is generally allowed with higher spectrums. As a result, according to the Wi-Fi Alliance, a single Wi-Fi HaLow access point may "beyond a 1 kilometer radius and provide internet connectivity for more than 8,000 devices scattered across hundreds of acres."
As a result, in order to improve the range, Wi-Fi HaLow sacrifices data transfer rates. However, such an application is ideal for IoT devices, which seldom require large amounts of data to be sent over the Internet. A basic example may be found in any of your home's IoT gadgets, such as smart door locks, cameras, air conditioners, and so on. These require relatively simple information (of being turned on/off and the like) to be conveyed to them through the Internet, which Wi-Fi HaLow is more than capable of providing.
What are the benefits?
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| When compared to conventional Wi-Fi protocols, the HaLow's have more barriers, longer coverage, greater power, and the capacity to connect many devices. Image courtesy of ElectronicDesign.com |