PANs are designed to connect devices within a short range, typically around an individual, enabling seamless communication and data sharing between personal gadgets. A personal area network (PAN) connects electronic devices within a user's immediate area. The size of a PAN ranges from a few cm to meters. One of the most common real-world examples of a PAN is the connection between a Bluetooth earpiece and a smartphone. It provides a platform for data transmission and resource sharing among devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and personal digital assistants. On the other hand, a device inside a PAN can be linked to a LAN, which in turn links to the Internet.
What is PAN?
PAN stands for Personal Area Network. PAN is a computer network organized around an individual for personal use only. It provides data transmission through various electronic devices. This network type is employed in various basic day-to-day technologies requiring some form of a digital connection.
Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area Network.
PANs can be used for communication among the personal devices themselves, or for connecting to a higher level network and the Internet where one master device takes up the role as a gateway. They typically involve a computer, phone, printer, tablet, or some other device like a PDA.
Examples of PAN
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Wireless Mouse and Keyboard
- Smartphone Tethering
- Fitness Tracker and Smartphone
- Infrared Communication
Types of PAN
There are two types of PAN:
- Wired PAN: Wired Personal Area Networks provide short connections between peripherals. It is created by using a USB.
- Wireless PAN Wireless Personal Area Network is known as WPAN and as the name says it generates PAN wirelessly. Bluetooth is the most common example of such networks. Apart from this, TV remotes, Wireless printers, Wireless Keyboards, Wireless mouse all employ the same technology.
Characteristics of PAN
- Effective: Useful for creating a simple network which can carry out a basic task.
- Easy: creating such connections literally just requires a few clicks.
- Simple: Any person with no or basic knowledge of technology can easily learn to create of such kind.
- Range: Its range is 10 meters to 33 meters which is purely sufficient for a small network
Advantages of PAN
- No need for extra equipment, cable or wires.
- It is easy to use.
- Easy to connect to multiple devices
- Affordable cost.
- Reliable.
- Portable.
- Fully secure.
- Can be easily used in wireless technologies.
- Synchronize data between different devices.
Disadvantages of PAN
- Range is less.
- Transfer of data is slow.
- Cannot work efficiently if objects are in between because infrared rays travel in a straight line.
- Interferes with radio signals.
- It can possess health issues.
- Costly in terms of communication devices.
Conclusion
A personal area network (PAN) connects electronic devices within a user's immediate area. The size of a PAN ranges from a few centimeters to a few meters. One of the most common real-world examples of a PAN is the connection between a Bluetooth earpiece and a smartphone. PANs can also connect laptops, tablets, printers, keyboards, and other computerized devices.
PAN network connections can either be wired or wireless. Wired connection methods include USB and FireWire; wireless connection methods include Bluetooth (the most common), WiFi, IrDA, and Zigbee.