Terminology » Other Wireless » Understanding Personal Area Networks (PAN)

Understanding Personal Area Networks (PAN)

personal area network
wireless technology
bluetooth
zigbee
z-wave

PAN, or Personal Area Network, is a network designed for communication between computing devices in close proximity to a user. This includes devices like mobile phones, laptops, headsets, mice, printers, tablets, and other personal digital devices.

PANs are broadly categorized into two types:

  • Cabled PAN: Uses physical cables for connection.
  • Wireless PAN: Uses wireless technologies for connection.

Key Characteristics of PAN

Unlike traditional networks, which are typically designed for high-bandwidth applications requiring more time to establish a connection and consume more power, PANs are tailored for lighter, low data rate monitoring and control applications. This means they:

  • Require less time to establish a connection.
  • Consume less power.

Wireless PAN Technologies

Several wireless technologies fall under the PAN umbrella, including:

  • Bluetooth
  • Zigbee
  • Z-Wave
  • Skinplex

These technologies operate on different frequency ranges, depending on the specific technology and the country of application.