Almost every digital device that we use today is connected to the internet or with other devices. it brings in great advantages and such a system is the prime example of an IoT ecosystem.
However, the transmission of data requires a set of rules to govern them and these rules are very important when it comes to the functioning and performance of the devices. Without protocols, devices will not know whether the recipient is ready to accept the message, and even if it is ready, there is no guarantee that the transmitting device is sending the data to the right recipient. In other words, protocols prevent network chaos.
Since IoT is interconnected with the transmission and reception of data, there are many important protocols that make up the system. Let’s review some of the common IoT protocols you need to know about!
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1. WiFi
WiFi is undoubtedly one of the most favored protocols among IoT devices. And this is evident from all the new IoT devices that support WiFi connectivity. WiFi enables the devices to communicate with each other and connects them to the internet. It eliminates the need for wires or cables. You can connect two devices through WiFi and have considerable distance between them, perfect for IoT solutions working in a building or a particular area. WiFi protocol was developed by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
The WiFi technology has seen many upgrades year after year. The latest standard is 802.11ax or WiFi 6 which is capable of a theoretical data transfer rate of 2.4 Gbps and works on both 2.4 or 5 Hz. The first form of WiFi or legacy WiFi could only transfer at theoretical speeds of 2 Mbps.
2. Bluetooth
The next favorite protocol among IoT devices is Bluetooth. Like WiFi, Bluetooth is also used for sending data between devices over a distance without cables.
Bluetooth is not a single protocol, but a technology that encompasses a collection of protocols.
When we compare WiFi and Bluetooth, their differences become clear. WiFi has a much larger range than Bluetooth, as outdoor WiFi systems can have high range systems with the appropriate hardware. The range can be further increased by repeaters.
The biggest difference between the two protocols is that WiFi allows the devices to connect to the internet while Bluetooth is all about the device-to-device connections. The theoretical range for Bluetooth 5.0 is around 800 feet.
There is a Bluetooth 5.1 version coming soon that is stated to have directional tracking. This will allow devices to know the position and direction of the connected device to a centimeter.
3. MQTT
IoT devices collect data through sensors and relay them to a larger network. In most cases, these sensors are small footprint devices that have only one function – to send and receive data.
MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol is developed for such devices that work on a low bandwidth connection. MQTT works on a publish-subscribe system. The sensor is the publisher and the recipient devices are called subscribers. The subscribers can subscribe to a publisher, which will enable data transmission between these two devices. There is an element between the publisher and subscriber called Broker which facilitates the transmission of the data like a server.
4. 6LoWPAN
A popular IoT protocol that is used in setting up a low power network or a mesh network. 6LoWPAN is designed to carry IPv6 and IPv4 data packets on the IEEE 802.015.4 standard by the IETF or Internet Engineering Task Force.
With traditional protocols, sending IPv6 packet data over IEEE 802.15.4 is not possible because of incompatibility between IPv6 and IEEE 802.15.4. The 6LoWPAN remedies this situation by acting as a layer on top of IEEE 802.15.4 so that low power data can be transmitted.
The low power and low data rate qualities of 6LoWPAN make it the ideal candidate for both home and industrial IoT systems.
The latest iterations of 6LoWPAN have added support to other network bands such as Bluetooth, NFC, etc.
5. DDS
DDS protocol or Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard is used to connect real-time distributed applications. The advantage of DDS is that it can facilitate high-performance data transfers and communication.
When we compare DDS to MQTT, they have their similarities and differences. While MQTT is connected to different devices to a single server in a low power state, it doesn’t offer any QoS control. In other words, MQTT cannot specify the type of data being sent to the server.
DDS is data-centric and can filter out unwanted data. Hence, it is the prime choice for high power IoT systems. it also works on publish/subscribe model.
6. SigFox
The SigFox IoT Protocol is an ultra-Narrow bandwidth communication that can work on low power devices. it uses 200 kHz frequency to send data with speeds up to 600 bits per second. SigFox is designed to be very efficient, helping battery-powered IoT devices to keep communications active without draining their battery life. SigFox uses ISM bands to communicate with other devices.
7. CoAP
CoAP or Constrained Application Protocol is designed specifically for constrained devices. Constrained devices are those devices with limited CPU, storage and memory power.
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CoAP allows them to be a part of an IoT network using a low bandwidth connection. CoAP can work on devices specced as low as 10 KB of RAM and 100 KB of code space
For constrained devices, CoAP is written using simple C language, for example, libcoap is a great C-based implementation of CoAP. However, it can be also scaled to accommodate devices like android and iOS smartphones.
8. AMQP
AMQP or Advanced Message Queuing protocol is a middleware that operates between a sender and receiver. The major operation of AMQP is in queueing, routing and orienting the messages across devices.
The AMQP was first used in banking, where losing messages can cause serious damage.
A version of the same technology when used in IoT provides a means for devices to queue messages and creates a lossless ecosystem. AMQP is also capable of tracking the messages and ensuring that they have reached their destination.
AMQP is not quite used in IoT devices as such, but they find their use in the server-side of things.
9. Thread
Thread is an IP-based IPv6 networking protocol (6LoWPAN based) that is used to create a low power mesh network between IoT devices. Thread is designed on the popular IEEE 802.15.4 radio standard. It is a reliable option to choose when connection several different devices in a space that doesn’t just connect to each other, but also to the cloud.
10. Cellular
IoT Devices can also use cellular protocols to communicate with each other. This utilizes the same technology that our phones use to transfer information. There are a variety of cellular protocols like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, etc. that IoT devices can use to not only share information but also other specifics like location or media. The current standard is 4G, and a much more device-oriented protocol is on the way which is called 5G.
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11. ZigBee
Like some of the entries that we discussed before, ZigBee is also a collection of protocols. The advantage of such systems is that they can work without other protocols and can operate at a standalone system. this means less work time is invested in the setting up process. Since Zigbee modules are less expensive than WiFi and Bluetooth, it is a popular option for low range, low bandwidth connections.
ZigBee works on the 802.15.4 physical radio specification. It can operate on unlicensed bands such as 2.4 GHz, 900 MHz, and 868 MHz
12. NFC
NFC or Near Field Communication is short-range wireless communication technology. It is used to establish a connection between devices. The advantage of NFC when we compare it to Bluetooth is that NFC only requires a very short amount of time to set up, ideally 1/10 of a second. NFC uses electromagnetic induction to send data.
The connection happens automatically, without requiring manual setup. With Bluetooth, the establishing connection involves searching for the devices and then pairing them. NFC works at a very short range, about 10 centimeters, which improves its security in a crowded area. The short-range can also be called out as a disadvantage of NFC.
13. Z-wave
Z-wave is a common smart home communication protocol that is used to transfer data between devices in space. Z-wave protocol is very effective at creating mesh networks. They work on low power band when compared to WiFi, and are hence a very effective alternative.
The Z ware works on 908.42 band, which is a low-frequency band used to transmit data with speeds up to 100kbps.
14. RFID
RFID or Radio Frequency Identification can be called as the predecessor of NFC, nonetheless, it is even used today. Like NFC, RFID uses magnetic induction and are very effective at transferring data at low distances. RFID protocol in IoT is mostly used for device identification rather than continuous data transfer.
15. EnOcean
EnOcean is a wireless sensing and energy harvesting platform that works on 868.3 MHz or 315 MHz range. It has a relatively high data rate for a low power device with 125 kbps speed and has an energy management system built-in for sending the data in a very efficient manner.
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Conclusion
Different protocols offer different functionalities. It is up to the developer to choose which protocols they want to use in their systems.
Nowadays, IoT protocols are selected not just based on their functionality, but also the security features that they offer. With every household stated to have 50 nodes by 2022, IoT protocols are evolving to meet the needs of the modern user.