The Fundamentals Of Short-Range Wireless Technology

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This great rush to make everything wireless has produced a flood of different wireless technologies and protocols. Some were established primarily for one application, while others are more general and have many uses.Wireless has become a major feature for just about every new electronic product. It adds flexibility, convenience, and remote monitoring and control without expensive wiring and cabling. The range of applications is staggering, from simple toys to consumer electronic products to industrial automation.

Table Of Contents

1. Wireless Technology Choices
2. Critical Design Factors
3. Typical Applications
4. Checklist For Selecting A Wireless Technology
5. References

Wireless Technology Choices

Many wireless technologies are available, and most of them are standardized (see the table). Some were developed for specific applications while others are flexible and generic. Most are also implemented in small, low-cost IC form or in complete drop-in modules. Selecting the technology for a given application is the challenge.

ANT+

ANT and ANT+ are proprietary wireless sensor network technologies used in the collection and transfer of sensor data. As a type of personal-area network (PAN), ANT’s primary applications include sports, wellness, and home health. For example, it’s used in heart-rate monitors, speedometers, calorimeters, blood pressure monitors, position tracking, homing devices, and thermometers. Typical radios are built into sports watches and equipment like workout machines.

The technology divides the 2.4-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band into 1-MHz channels. The radios have a basic data rate of 1 Mbit/s. A time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme accommodates multiple sensors. ANT+ supports star, tree, mesh, and peer-to-peer topologies. The protocol and packet format is simple. And, it boasts ultra-low power consumption and long battery life. 

Bluetooth

Bluetooth (www.bluetooth.org, www.bluetooth.com) is another PAN technology. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) manages the standard. IEEE 802.15.1 also covers it. Bluetooth primarily is used in wireless headsets for cell phones. It’s also used in some laptops, printers, wireless speakers, digital cameras, wireless keyboards and mice, and video games. Bluetooth Low Energy, which has a simpler design, targets health and medical applications. It effectively competes with ANT+.

Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 -Hz ISM band and uses frequency-hopping spread spectrum with Gaussian frequency shift keying (GFSK), differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK), or eight-phase-shift differential phase-shift keying (8DPSK) modulation. The basic data gross rate is 1 Mbit/s for GFSK, 2 Mbits/s for DQPSK, and 3 Mbits/s for 8DPSK. There are also three power classes of 0 dBm (1 mW), 4 dBm (2.5 mW), and 20 dBm (100 mW), which essentially determines range. Standard range is about 10 meters and up to 100 meters at maximum power with a clear path.

Bluetooth is also capable of forming simple networks of up to seven devices. Called piconets, these PANs aren’t widely used. The peer-to-peer communications mode is the most common. The Bluetooth SIG defines multiple “profiles” or software applications that have been certified for interoperability among vendor chips, modules, and software.

Cellular

With services from most network carriers, cellular radio provides data transmission capability for machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. M2M is used for remote monitoring and control. Cellular radio modules are widely available to build into other equipment (Fig. 1). Most of the standard technologies are used, such as GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA/HSPA on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks and cdma2000/EV-DO on the Verizon and Sprint networks.

1. Put a cell phone in your product. The Sierra Wireless AirPrime SL808x series is a full UMTS/WCDMA/HSDPA data cell phone designed to be embedded into other products. The module measures 25 by 30 mm, and it can transfer data downloads up to 3.6 Mbits/s.

LTE capability is also being made available for higher-speed applications like HD video surveillance. Otherwise, data rates are usually low (< 1 Mbit/s). The working range is from 1 to 10 km, which is the range of most cell sites today.

IEEE 802.15.4

IEEE 802.15.4 is designed to support peer-to-peer links as well as wireless sensor networks. The standard defines the basic physical layer (PHY), including frequency range, modulation, data rates, and frame format, and the media access control (MAC) layer. Separate protocol stacks are then designed to use the basic PHY and MAC. Several wireless standards use the 802.15.4 standard as the PHY/MAC base, including ISA100, Wireless HART, ZigBee, and 6LoPAN.

The standard defines three basic frequency ranges. The most widely used is the worldwide 2.4-GHz ISM band (16 channels). The basic data rate is 250 kbits/s. Another range is the 902- to 928-MHz ISM band in the U.S. (10 channels). The data rate is 40 kbits/s or 250 kbits/s. Then there’s the European 868-MHz band (one channel) with a data rate of 20 kbits/s.

All three ranges use direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) with either binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) or offset quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation. The multiple access mode is carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA). The minimum defined power levels are –3 dBm (0.5 mW). The most common power level is 0 dBm. A 20-dBm level is defined for longer-range applications. Typical range is less than 10 meters.

IEEE 802.22

Also known as the Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) standard, IEEE 802.22 is one of the IEEE’s newest wireless standards. It’s designed to be used in the license-free unused broadcast TV channels called white space. These 6-MHz channels occupy the frequency range from 470 MHz to 698 MHz. Their availability varies from location to location. The standard isn’t widely used yet, though. White space radios use proprietary protocols and wireless standards.

Because of the potential for interference to TV stations, 802.22 radios must meet strict requirements and use cognitive radio techniques to find an unused channel. The radios use frequency-agile circuitry to scan for unused channels and to listen for potential interfering signals. They also use a TV white space database to determine the optimum place to be for the best results without interfering with other communications.

This standard is designed for fixed wireless broadband connections. The basestations talk to multiple fixed-location consumer radios for Internet access or other services. They would compete with cable TV and phone companies and/or provide broadband connectivity in rural areas underserved by other companies. While mobile operation is possible, most radios will be fixed.

The standard uses orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to provide spectral efficiency sufficient to supply multiple user channels with a minimum of 1.5-Mbit/s download speed and 384-kbit/s upload speed. The maximum possible data rate per 6-MHz channel ranges from 18 to 22 Mbits/s. The great advantage of 802.22 is its use of the VHF and low UHF frequencies, which offer very long-range connections. With the maximum allowed 4 W of effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), a basestation range of 100 km (almost 60 miles) is possible.

ISA100a

Developed by the International Society of Automation, ISA100a is designed for industrial process control and factory automation. It uses the 802.15.4 PHY and MAC but adds special features for security, reliability, feedback control, and other industrial requirements.

Infrared

Infrared (IR) wireless technology uses light instead of radio for its connectivity. Infrared is low-frequency, invisible light that can serve as a carrier of high-speed digital data. The primary wavelength range is 850 to 940 µm. The transmitter is an IR LED, and the receiver is a diode photodetector and amplifier. The light wave is usually modulated with a high-frequency signal that is, in turn, coded and modulated by the digital data to be transmitted.

Most TV sets and consumer electronic devices use an IR remote control, which has a range of several meters and a narrow angle (<30°) of transmission. Various protocols and coding schemes are used. Also, IR devices must have a clear line-of-sight path for a connection.

There is a separate standard for data transmission called IrDA. The Infrared Data Association sets and maintains its specifications. IrDA exists in many versions mainly delineated by their data rate. Data rates range from a low of 9.6 to 115.2 kbits/s in increments to 4 Mbits/s, 16 Mbits/s, 96 Mbits/s, and 512 Mbits/s to 1 Gbit/s. New standards for rates of 5 and 10 Gbits/s are in development. The range is less than a meter.

IR has several key benefits. First, since it’s light instead of a radio wave, it isn’t susceptible to radio interference of any kind. Second, it’s highly secure since its signals are difficult to intercept or spoof.

IR once was widely used in laptops, PDAs, some cameras, and printers. It has mainly been replaced by other wireless technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It is still widely used in consumer remote controls, but new RF remote controls are gradually replacing the IR remotes in some consumer equipment. Some designs include both IR and RF.

ISM Band

Most of these standards use the unlicensed ISM bands set aside by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Part 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 47. The most widely used ISM band is the 2.4- to 2.483-GHz band, which is used by cordless phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 802.15.4 radios, and many other devices. The second most widely used band is the 902- to 928-MHz band, with 915 MHz being a sweet spot.

Other popular ISM frequencies are 315 MHz for garage door openers and remote keyless entry (RKE) applications and 433 MHz for remote temperature monitoring. Other less used frequencies are 13.56 MHz, 27 MHz, and 72 MHz. For full consideration of all available bands, see Part 15, which is a must-have document for anyone designing and building short-range wireless products. It’s available through the U.S. Government Printing Office.

For many simple wireless applications that do not require complex network connections, security, or other custom features, simple proprietary protocols can be designed. Many vendors of ISM band transceivers offer standard protocol support and development systems that can be used to develop a protocol for a specific application.

Near-Field Communications

Near-field communications (NFC) is an ultra-short-range technology that was designed for secure payment transactions and similar applications. It maximum range is about 20 cm, with 4 to 5 cm being a typical link distance. This short distance greatly enhances the security of the connection, which is also usually encrypted. Many smart phones include NFC, and many others are expected to get it eventually. The goal is to implement NFC payment systems where consumers can tap a payment terminal with their cell phone instead of using a credit card.

NFC uses the 13.56-MHz ISM frequency. At this low frequency, the transmit and receive loop antennas function mainly as the primary and secondary windings of a transformer, respectively. The transmission is by the magnetic field of the signal rather than the accompanying electric field, which is less dominant in the near field.

NFC is also used to read tags that are powered up by the interrogation of an NFC transmitted signal. The unpowered tags convert the RF signal into dc that powers a processor and memory that can provide information related to the application. Numerous NFC transceiver chips are available to implement new applications, and multiple standards exist:

• ISO/IEC 14443A
• ISO/IEC 14443B
• JIS X6319-4
• ECMA 340, designated NFCIP-1
• ISO/IEC as 18092
• ECMA 352, called NFCIP-2, and ISO/IEC 23917

RFID

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is used primarily for identification, location, tracking, and inventory. A nearby reader unit transmits a high-power RF signal to power passive (unpowered) tags and then read the data stored in their memory.

RFID tags are small, flat, and cheap and can be attached to anything that must be tracked or identified. They have replaced bar codes in some applications. RFID uses the 13.56-MHz ISM frequency, but other frequencies are also used including 125 kHz, 134.5 kHz, and frequencies in the 902- to 928-MHz range. Multiple ISO/IEC standards exist.

6LoWPAN

6LoWPAN means IPv6 protocol over low-power wireless PANs. Developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (ITEF), it provides a way to transmit IPv6 and IPv4 Internet Protocols over low-power wireless point-to-point (P2P) links and mesh networks. This standard (RFC4944) also permits the implementation of the Internet of Things on even the smallest and remote devices.

The protocol provides encapsulation and header compression routines for use with 802.15.4 radios. The IETF is said to be working on a version of this protocol for Bluetooth. If your wireless device must have an Internet connection, this is your technology of choice.

Ultra Wideband

Ultra Wideband (UWB) uses the 3.1- to 10.6-GHz range to provide high-speed data connectivity for PCs, laptops, set-top boxes, and other devices. The band is divided up into multiple 528-MHz wide channels. OFDM is used to provide data rates from 53 Mbits/s to 480 Mbits/s. The WiMedia Alliance originally defined the standard.

Devices use ultra-low power to prevent interference with services in the assigned band. This restricts range to a maximum of about 10 meters. In most applications, the range is less than a few meters so the highest data rates can be used. UWB is used primarily in video applications such as TV sets, cameras, laptops, and video monitors in docking stations.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is the commercial name of the wireless technology defined by the IEEE 802.11 standards. Next to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi is by far the most widespread wireless technology. It is in smart phones, laptops, tablets, and ultrabooks. It’s also used in TV sets, video accessories, and home wireless routers. It’s deployed in many industrial applications as well. Wi-Fi is now showing up in cellular networks where carriers are using it to offload some data traffic like video that clogs the network.

Wi-Fi has been around since the late 1990s when a version called 802.11b because popular. It offered up to 11-Mbit/s data rates in the 2.4-GHz ISM band. Since then, new standards have been developed including 802.11a (5-GHz band), 802.11g, and 802.11n using OFDM to get speeds up to 54 and 300 Mbits/s under the most favorable conditions.

More recent standards include 802.11ac, which uses multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) to deliver up to 3 Gbits/s in the 5-GHz ISM band. The 802.11ad standard is designed to deliver data rates up to 7 Gbits/s in the unlicensed 60-GHz band. You will hear of 802.11ad referred to as WiGig, its commercial designation. Its main use is video transfer in consumer electronic systems with HDTV and in high-resolution video monitors.

Wi-Fi is readily available in chip form or as complete drop-in modules. The range is up to 100 meters under the best line-of-sight conditions. This is a great option where longer range and high speeds are needed for the application.

Wireless HART

HART is the Highway Addressable Remote Transducer protocol, a wired networking technology widely used in industry for sensor and actuator monitoring and control. Wireless HART is the wireless version of this standard. The base of it is the 802.15.4 standard in the 2.4-GHz band. The HART protocol is a software application on the wireless transceivers.

WirelessHD

WirelessHD is another high-speed technology using the 60-GHz unlicensed band. It also is supported by the IEEE 802.15.3c standard. It can achieve speeds to 28 Gbits/s over a range that tops out at about 10 meters in a straight, unblocked path. It is designed mainly for wireless video displays using interfaces like HDMI or DisplayPort, HDTV sets, and related consumer devices like DVRs and DVD players.

WirelessUSB

WirelessUSB is a proprietary standard from Cypress Semiconductor. It is not the same as Wireless USB, which is a wireless version of the popular wired USB interface standard. Wireless USB generally refers to Ultra Wideband. WirelessUSB NL uses the 2.4-GHz band with GFSK modulation. Data rates up to 1 Mbit/s are possible. This ultra-low-power technology is designed primarily for human interface devices (HIDs) like keyboards, mice, and game controllers. It uses a simple protocol.

Another version of WirelessUSB designated LP uses the same 2.4-GHz band but employs direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) at a lower speed (up 250 kbits/s) for greater range and reliability in the presence of noise. The LP version can also implement the GFSK 1-Mbit/s feature if desired. The maximum power level is 4 dBm, and a 16-bit cyclic redundancy code (CRC) is used for error detection. Versions of the transceivers can be had with an on-chip Cypress PSoC microcontroller.

ZigBee

ZigBee is the standard of the ZigBee Alliance. It is a software protocol and technology that uses the 802.15.4 transceiver as a base. It provides a complete protocol stack designed to implement multiple types of radio networks that include point-to-point, tree, star, and point-to-multipoint (Fig. 2). Its main feature is the ability to build large mesh networks for sensor monitoring. And, it can handle up to 65,000 nodes.

ZigBee also provides profiles or software routines that implement specific applications for consumer home automation, building automation, and industrial control. Examples include building automation for lighting and HVAC control, as well as smart meters that implement home-area network connections in automated electric meters.

Low-power versions are used in health care for remote patient monitoring and similar applications. A lighting profile is available for LED lighting fixtures and their control. There is also a ZigBee remote control profile to implement an RF rather than infrared remote control for consumer TV and other devices. ZigBee is used in factory automation and can be used in many M2M and Internet of Things applications as well.

Z-Wave

Z-Wave is a proprietary wireless standard originally developed by Zensys, which is now a part of Sigma Designs. Recently, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) included the Z-Wave PHY and MAC layers as an option in its G.9959 standard, which defines a set of guidelines for sub-1-GHz narrowband wireless devices.

Z-Wave is a wireless mesh networking technology. A Z-Wave network can have up to 232 nodes. The wireless transceivers operate in the ISM band on a frequency of 908.42 MHz in the U.S. and Canada but use other frequencies depending on the country’s rules and regulations. The modulation is GFSK. Data rates available include 9600 bits/s and 40 kbits/s. Output power is 1 mW or 0 dBm. In free space conditions, a range of up to 30 meters is possible. The through-wall range is considerably shorter. The main application for Z-Wave has been home automation and control of lighting, thermostats, smoke detectors, door locks, appliances, and security systems.

Critical Design Factors

The performance of a wireless link is based on pure physics as modified by practical considerations. In building a short-range wireless product or system, the important factors to consider are range, transmit power, antenna gains if any, frequency or wavelength, and receiver sensitivity. Basic guidelines include:

• Lower frequencies extend the range if all factors are the same. This is strictly physics. A 900-MHz signal will travel farther than a 2.4-GHz signal. A 60-GHz signal has substantially less range than a 5-GHz signal.
• Lower data rates will also extend the range and reliability for a given set of factors. Lower data rates are less susceptible to noise and interference. Always use the lowest possible data rate for the best results.
• Be sure to factor in other possible losses such as those in a coax transmission line, filters, impedance matching, or other circuits.
• Losses through trees, walls, or other obstacles should also be considered.
• Add fade margin to your design to overcome unexpected environmental conditions, noise, or interference. This ensures your system will have sufficient signal strength over the range to compensate for unknowns. Increase fade margin if the signal must pass through walls and other obstructions.
• Keep in mind that antennas can have gain. By making the antenna directional, its beam is more focused with RF power and the effect is the same as raising the transmit or receive power. Half-wave dipoles and quarter-wave verticals aren’t considered to have gain unless compared to a pure isotropic source.

Your first calculation is to determine possible path loss for a typical situation. Assume the longest possible distance the signal needs to travel and use it to determine other factors. Then calculate the path loss. The formula is:

dB loss = 37 dB + 20log(f) + 20log(d)

In this formula, f is the operating frequency in MHz and d is the range in miles. For example, the path loss of a 900-MHz signal over 2 miles is:

dB loss = 37 + 20log(900) + 2-log(2) = 37 + 59 + 6 = 102 dB

Remember, this is the free space loss meaning a direct line-of-sight transmission with no obstacles. Trees, walls, or other possible barriers will significantly increase the path loss.

Next, manipulate the following formula to ensure a link connection:

Receive sensitivity (minimum) = transmit power (dBm) + transmit antenna gain (dB) + receive antenna gain (dB) – path loss (dB) – fade margin (dB)

Fade margin is an estimate or best guess. It should be no less than, say, 5 dB, but it could be up to 40 dB to ensure 100 % link reliability. Other losses like transmission line loss should also be subtracted.

The resulting figure should be greater than the receiver sensitivity. Receiver sensitivities range from a low of about –70 dBm to –130 dBm or more. Assume a transmit power of 4 dBm, antenna gains of 0 dB, and the 102-dB path loss calculated above. Assume a fade margin of 10 dB. The link characteristics then are:

4 + 0 + 0 – 102 – 10 = –108 dB

To obtain a reliable link, the receiver sensitivity must be greater than –108 dBm.

Typical Applications

The use of wireless as expanded geometrically over years thanks to new wireless standards and very low-cost transceiver chips and modules. Generally, there is little need to invent a new standard or protocol, and there is less need to be an RF and wireless expert. Wireless has become an easy and relatively low-cost addition to almost any new product where a wireless feature can enhance performance, convenience, or marketability.

In the automotive space, remote keyless entry (RKE) and remote start are the most widespread. Wireless remote reading of tire pressures is one interesting feature on some vehicles. GPS navigation has also become a widespread option on many cars. Radar, a prime wireless technology, is finding considerable application in speed control and automated braking.

Home consumer electronic products are loaded with wireless. Virtually all entertainment products such as HDTVs, DVRs, and cable and satellite boxes have remote controls. They’re still primarily IR, but RF wireless is now being incorporated. Other wireless applications include baby monitors, toys, games, and hobbies.

There are also wireless thermostats, remote thermometers and other weather monitors, garage door openers, security systems, and energy metering and affiliated monitors. Many homes now have wireless Internet access with a Wi-Fi router. There may even be a cellular femto cell to boost mobile coverage in the home. Cell phones, cordless phones, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are widespread.

Commercial applications include wireless temperature monitoring, wireless thermostats, and lighting control. Some video surveillance cameras use a wireless rather than coax link. Wireless payment systems in cell phones promises to revolutionize commerce.

In industry, wireless has gradually replaced wired connections. Remote monitoring of physical characteristics such as temperature, flow, pressure, proximity, and liquid level is common. Wireless control of machine tools, robots, and industrial processes simplifies and facilitates economy and convenience in industrial settings. M2M technology has opened the door to many new applications such as monitoring vending machines and vehicle location (GPS). The Internet of Things is mostly wireless. RFID has made it possible to more conveniently track and locate almost anything.

Checklist For Selecting A Wireless Application

The following list outlines the almost obvious factors to consider in selecting a wireless technology:

• Range: How far is it from the transmitter to the receiver? Is the distance fixed or will it vary? Estimate maximum and minimum distances.
• Duplex or simplex: Is the application one way (simplex) or two-way (duplex)? For some monitoring applications, a one-way path is all that’s needed. The same goes for some remote control applications. The need for control and feedback from transmitter to receiver or vice versa implies the need for a two-way system.
• Number of nodes: How many transmitters/receivers will be involved? In simpler systems, only two nodes are involved. If a network for devices is involved, determine how many transmitters and receivers are needed and define the necessary interaction between them.
• Data rate: What speed will data occur? Is it low speed for monitoring and control or high speed for video transfer? The lowest speed is best for link reliability and noise immunity.
• Potential interference: Will there be other nearby wireless devices and systems? If so, they may interfere with or block the connection. Noise from machinery, power lines, and other interference sources should also be considered.
• Environment: Is the application indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, are there physical obstacles like buildings, trees, vehicles, or other structures that can block or reflect a signal? If indoors, will the signals have to pass through walls, floors or ceilings, furniture, or other items?
• Power source: Will ac power be available? If not, assume battery operation. Consider battery, size, life, recharging needs, battery replacement intervals, and related costs. Will adding wireless significantly increase the power consumption of the application? Is energy harvesting or solar power a possibility?
• Regulatory issues: Some wireless technologies require an FCC license. Most of the wireless technologies for short-range applications are unlicensed. Only the unlicensed technologies are discussed here.
• Size and space: Is there adequate room for the wireless circuitry? Keep in mind that all wireless devices need an antenna. While the circuitry may fit in a millimeter-sized chip, the antenna could take up much more space. Usually some discrete impedance matching components are also needed. If a separate antenna is required, then a coax transmission line will be needed as well.
• Licensing fees: Some wireless technologies may require the user to join an organization or pay royalties to use the technology.
• User type and experience: Will the user be a consumer with no wireless competency or an experienced technician or engineer? Will installation and operation require expertise? System complexity may be beyond the user’s capability. Ease of installation, setup, operation, and maintenance are crucial factors.
• Security: If security from hacking and other misuses is an issue, the use of encryption and authentication may be necessary. Most wireless standards or protocols have security measures that may be used as applications determine.

References

1. Bensky, Alan, Short-range Wireless Communications, LLH Technology Publishing (now Elsevier), 2000
2. Donovan, John, Portable Electronics, Elsevier/Newnes, 2009
3. Fette et al., RF & Wireless Technologies, Elsevier/Newnes, 2008
4. U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 47, Part 15