Personal area network (PAN) is an interconnection between different devices like smartphone, tablet, computer and other digital devices. PAN is used for a personal purpose like data sharing among devices and it has a range of 10 meters. Some type of personal area networks is wired like USB while others are wireless like Bluetooth. Wireless personal area network is also known as WPAN.
Advantages of personal area network
No extra space requires:
Personal area network does not require extra wire or space. For connecting two devices you only need to enable Bluetooth in both devices to start sharing data among them. For example, connecting wireless keyboard and mouse with the tablet through Bluetooth.
Connect to many devices at a time:
Many devices can be connected to one device at the same time in a personal area network. You can connect one mobile to many other mobiles or tablets to share files.
Cost effective:
No extra wires are needed in this type of network. Also, no extra data charges are involved so PAN is an inexpensive way of communication.
Easy to use:
It is easy to use. No advanced setup is required.
Reliable:
If you use this type of data connection within 10 meters then your network is stable and reliable.
Secure:
This network is secured because all the devices are authorized before data sharing. Third party injection and data hacking are not possible in PAN.
Used in office, conference, and meetings:
Infrared is the technology used in TV remotes, AC remotes, and other devices. Bluetooth, infrared and other types of PAN is used to interconnect digital devices in offices, meetings, and conferences.
Synchronize data between different devices:
One person can synchronize several devices i.e. download, upload and exchanging data among devices.
Portable:
A person can move devices as it is a wireless network and data exchange is not affected. That mean PAN is portable as well.
Disadvantages of personal area network
Less distance range:
Signal range is maximum 10 meters which makes limitation for long distance sharing.
Interfere with radio signals:
As personal area network also use infrared so it can interfere with radio signals and data can be dropped.
Slow data transfer:
Bluetooth and infrared have a slow data transfer rate as compared to another type of networks like LAN (local area network).
Health problem:
In some cases, PAN uses microwave signals in some digital devices which have a bad effect on the human body like brain and heart problems may occur.
Costly in terms of communication devices:
Personal area network is used in digital devices which are costly so it is another disadvantage of PAN. Examples are smartphones, PDA, laptops, and digital cameras.
Infrared signals travel in a straight line:
TV remote use infrared signals which have a problem that they travel in straight line. So this counts another disadvantage of PAN.
Examples of personal area network
Some examples of PAN are:
- Wireless keyboards
- Wireless Mice
- Smartphones
- TV remotes
- Wireless printers
- Gaming consoles
- Smartphone technologies include Infrared, Bluetooth, FireWire, ZigBee, Ultrawideband, Wibree, wireless USB
Also check: What is WPAN with example