Concept of PAN

A personal area network (PAN) is the link of information technology devices located within 10 metres of a single person. A person is moving with a tablet, a smartphone, and a portable printer, for example, could use wireless technology to connect them without plugging anything in. This type of personal area network, the smallest computer network, can typically be interconnected to the Internet without wires. See also wireless personal area network, which is almost a synonym, and just about any personal area network would also need to function wirelessly.

The difference between a PAN and a wireless LAN is that the former is a local area network attached without wires and serves multiple users. In contrast, the latter is a local area network attached without wires and serves multiple users.

Some Examples of Personal Area Network

The interaction between a Bluetooth audio device and a smartphone is one of the most familiar real-world examples of a Personal Area Network. Personal computers, ipads, computer peripherals, keyboards, and other computerised devices can also be connected via PANs. Connections to PAN networks can be either wired or wireless.

Kinds of Personal Area Network

Personal Area Network is of two kinds:

• Wired PAN
• Wireless PAN

What is a Wireless PAN? 

A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a collection of devices linked together without the use of wires or cables. Often these PANs for everyday use are now wireless. WPANs rely on short-range wireless connectivity protocols like Bluetooth. A WPAN’s range is typically very short, as short-range wireless methods such as Bluetooth are inefficient over distances greater than 5-10 metres. Bluetooth communicates via short-range waves. Devices for pointing, keyboards, audio, and video headsets, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and PCs are all used within the WPAN.

A WPAN Bluetooth is also known as a subnet. It is made up of eight active devices that are linked together via the master-slave system. Wireless personal area networks range a few centimeters to approximately ten meters (33 feet). These networks are composed of local area networks to support a single person rather than a group.

How big is a PAN Network?

With a few centimetres, one of the smallest computer networks, wireless networks can go up to a height of 10 m (33 feet). These networks are a subset (or category) of local area networks that serve an ordinary person rather than a group. Secondary devices can connect to a PAN and use data from a primary computer. With Bluetooth, the system could span up to 100 metres. PANs can still connect to the Internet in some cases. A PAN system, for example, might very well link up to a LAN that has Access to the net and is thus a WAN.

Important characteristics of Personal Area Network 

• It has a relatively short range. 
• In a Wireless PAN network, the coverage gap is between 10 m and 100 m (Zigbee & Bluetooth).

• Bluetooth is a wireless data transmission protocol primarily used for low-data-rate application fields in home automation.

• PAN has a star and mesh architecture.

• PAN systems, such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Zwave, are used for limited bandwidth and short-distance applications.

• PAN support for Zigbee is 250kbps, and Bluetooth support ranges from Kbps to 24Mbps.

• PAN wireless technologies have grown in popularity in IoT (Internet of Things) networks.

• Machines in one PAN Subnet will connect to devices in another PAN Network in the range. In the vicinity is a PAN Network device.

Technologies used to construct a PAN.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) and fire-wire are frequently connected to the PAN network in tandem. This connectivity can be wireless or connected via cables. A PAN can be a small activity tracker or embedded device that shares information with other wireless devices in close proximity. WPANs are connected through Bluetooth and other infra-red interfaces.

How is Personal Area Network (PAN) connected?

A personal area network (PAN) is a network that connects electronic devices in a user’s immediate vicinity. Connections to PAN networks can be either wired or wireless. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) is linked by infra-red, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and ultra wideband signals. Wired PAN is linked via cables/wires, including a Fibre channel or Flash drive (or USB-Universal Serial Bus).

Conclusion

While a Personal Area Network may not have been the best or most secure option for the user, it could be the least complex and least time-consuming to set up in an emergency. Because of the ease of pairing and the great number of enabled devices and protocols, a PAN may well be the best alternative for the time being. When deciding to use a PAN, it is critical to ensure that all available security options are used to secure the data and the communication systems. Devices on the system should be made as secure as possible, with encryption methods included.