C27 1 hr
WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and 5G
Compare the wireless technologies used to connect IoT devices.
Comparison
| Technology | Typical range | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Medium | Cameras, home/office devices, higher bandwidth |
| ZigBee | Short, mesh | Sensors, lighting, low power |
| Bluetooth | Short | Wearables, proximity, setup |
| 5G | Wide | Mobile and industrial IoT, low latency |
Trade-offs
- Range vs power — longer range usually costs more energy.
- Bandwidth vs battery — high-bandwidth links drain batteries faster.
- Mesh vs star — mesh extends coverage but adds complexity.
Check your understanding
- Which technology suits a battery-powered door sensor?
- Why might an industrial site choose 5G over WiFi?