Most Popular IoT Communication Protocols of 2022
Similar to the standards set for any object and device, every businessman, engineer as well as a stakeholder who deals in this market should be quite aware of these IoT Communication Protocols.
Recording a high-volume sale in 2021, the production of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is reaching an all-time high since its inception as connected devices market sales jumped leaps and bounds in the last few years, especially during the pandemic times.
With the concept of smart devices intriguing more and more people, the market is slowly progressing in the direction of equipping these smart devices with smart buildings, smart factories and eventually smart cities.
Considered the backbone of the IoT devices ecosystem, connectivity among digital devices via communication ensures a smooth exchange of data.
And since the data is the core enabler of this communication, if leaked or hacked can become the highest level of liability for its user’s security and privacy.
To ensure this data security among IoT devices according to the proper standards as well as to support these devices under the latest prominent communication technologies in the market, IoT Communication Protocols were introduced.
Similar to the standards set for any object and device, every businessman, engineer as well as a stakeholder who deals in this market should be quite aware of these IoT Communication Protocols.
Before listing some of the Top IoT Communication Protocols of 2022, let us get a brief explanation of what exactly do we mean by IoT Communication Protocols and why are they needed in the first place?
Understanding IoT Communication Protocols
In layman’s terms, IoT Communication Protocols are those modes of communication that can protect and ensure optimum security to the data that gets exchanged between connected devices.
While most IoT devices are generally connected to the Internet via an IP (Internet Protocol) network, some devices leverage Bluetooth and RFID technologies to connect with IoT devices locally.
As far as the IoT Communication Protocols are concerned, we generally see mixed usage of both IP and non-IP networks depending on the conditions.
Significance of IoT Communication Protocols
Since the USP of every IoT-based device comes from enabling its components to communicate and be able to communicate via data from the endpoint devices to central servers.
And this communication happens via IoT Communication Protocols which are as critical to the existence of IoT as the things themselves.
Top IoT Communication Protocols of 2022
Below are some of the most popular and Top IoT Communication Protocols of 2022, that includes,
NB-IoT
Standard: NB-IoT Cat-NB2
Frequencies: Generally, uses the same sub-6 GHz wireless spectrum as 4G LTE technology
Range: Based on 4G Network Coverage (Around 200 miles)
Data Rate: 100-127 Kbps
NB-IoT or Narrowband IoT is listed as one of two IoT Communication Protocols that are based on LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) networking technology.
NB-IoT devices present low prices with low power consumption and wide coverage and capacity. The protocol offers excellent indoor penetration.
ZigBee
Standard: Zigbee 3.0 based on IEEE802.15.4
Frequencies: 2.4 GHz
Range: Approx. 10-100m
Data Rate: 250 kbps
Zigbee is a mesh network protocol, designed for building and home automation applications.
Counted as one of the Top IoT Communication Protocols of 2022, ZigBee is one of the most popular mesh protocols in IoT environments. This protocol offers low power consumption, great scalability, high security, and durability.
LoRaWan (Long Range Wide Area Network)
Standard: LoRaWAN
Frequencies: Multiple Options Available
Range: For urban 2.5 km and 15 km for sub-urban environment
Data Rate: 50 Kbps
Another popular name in the list of IoT Communication Protocols, LoRaWan is a long-range, low-power protocol that offers signal detection below the noise level.
This protocol connects battery-operated devices wirelessly to the Internet in either private or global networks.
This communication protocol is typically utilized by smart cities.
Bluetooth
Standard: Bluetooth 4.2
Frequency: 2.4GHz
Range: 50-150m (for Smart/BLE)
Data Rate: 1Mbps (for Smart/BLE)
Considered an important short-range IoT Communication Protocols, Bluetooth is expected to be critical for wearable products wherein connecting to the IoT via a smartphone is common.
The new Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) or also called Bluetooth Smart is another significant protocol for IoT applications that offers a similar range to Bluetooth.
Near Field Communication (NFC)
Standard: ISO/IEC 18000-3
Frequency: 13.56 MHz
Range: 10 cm
Data Rate: 100-420 Kbps
NFC is an IoT technology that enables simple and safe communications between electronic devices, specifically for smartphone users.
It enables its consumers to perform transactions and operations at a close range and is highly used as contactless payment at shops recently.
