What are the various wireless network protocols?

Wireless network protocols include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Infrared, LTE, and NFC.

Wi-Fi is the most common wireless network protocol, used for creating local area networks (LANs). It operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Wi-Fi is used for connecting devices such as computers, smartphones, and smart home devices to the internet. It offers high data transfer rates, making it suitable for streaming and downloading large files.

Bluetooth is another popular wireless protocol, designed for short-range connections between devices. It operates on the 2.4 GHz band and is used for connecting devices like headphones, speakers, keyboards, and mice to a computer or smartphone. Bluetooth is ideal for low-power, short-range applications due to its low energy consumption.

Zigbee and Z-Wave are wireless protocols used primarily in smart home applications. Zigbee operates on the 2.4 GHz band and is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. It is used for connecting smart home devices like lights, locks, and thermostats. Z-Wave, on the other hand, operates on the sub-1 GHz band and is used for similar applications as Zigbee. Both protocols are designed for low-power, low-data-rate applications and offer mesh networking capabilities.

Infrared is a wireless protocol that uses infrared light to transmit data. It is used in remote controls for televisions and other consumer electronics. Infrared is limited to line-of-sight communication and has a short range, making it less versatile than other wireless protocols.

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a wireless protocol used for mobile broadband communication. It operates on various frequency bands and is used for connecting mobile devices to the internet. LTE offers high data transfer rates and wide coverage, making it suitable for mobile internet access.

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless protocol used for short-range communication between devices. It operates on the 13.56 MHz frequency and is used for applications like contactless payments and data transfer between smartphones. NFC is designed for very short-range (a few centimetres) and low-data-rate applications.