Wireless connectivity has quickly become essential for powering the Internet of Things (IoT). However, it’s more than just a core technical component. It determines everything from range to energy efficiency.
Wireless connectivity improves the performance of IoT devices, and the secret lies in modern hardware advancements and the latest Wi-Fi standards.
How Can Wireless Connectivity Enhance IoT Performance?
You must understand the basics to grasp the partnership of wireless connectivity and IoT performance. Internet-enabled smart devices provide a plug-and-play experience, meaning they can connect to existing networks without additional base stations or gateways – an essential feature if you want to deploy multiple devices, especially in large spaces.
This feature improves deployment speed and affordability. During operation, it ensures your connection remains reliable without impacting the performance of the other devices on your network.
Since Wi-Fi enables high throughput without using Ethernet cables and extension cords, it provides superior scalability for expanding IoT environments.
A Wi-Fi system-on-a-chip (SoC) is an integrated circuit that conveniently combines critical electronic components into one microchip. Many laptop, smartphone and IoT device SoCs have integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless deployment and flexible device communication.
Wireless connectivity provides the bandwidth for real-time, cloud-based information processing, allowing you to transfer data quickly, even during high-throughput applications. You benefit from seamless integration, enhanced coverage and hassle-free operation, eliminating lag and dropped connections.
Advanced Wireless Solutions Support a Connected World
As wireless connectivity evolves, so does device performance. In January 2024, the Wi-Fi Alliance officially introduced Wi-Fi 7 – also known as IEEE 802.11be or Extremely High Throughput – with the release of its device certification program. This next-generation networking standard provides superior range, operation and efficiency.
Wi-Fi 7 has twice the maximum channel bandwidth of Wi-Fi 6, enabling faster data transfers. It boasts a maximum data rate of 46 Gigabits per second (Gbps), considerably outperforming the 9.6 Gbps its predecessors can handle.
Also, it can spread connections across the 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz), 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands to improve stability and reduce network congestion.
With this network standard, routers can communicate with more devices simultaneously, data packets move faster and devices can share channels if there is room.
Wireless connectivity can benefit IoT devices because these technical improvements directly impact signal strength, connection stability and network efficiency.
Whether your home is crowded with smart devices or you run a facility-wide industrial IoT environment, you want your technology to be responsive and perform consistently.
Modern Wi-Fi standards and SoCs enable high-speed communication and long-range connectivity without congesting your network or draining your hardware’s battery.
Best Companies Providing Wi-Fi Chips for IoT Technology
The top Wi-Fi chip companies design feature-rich SoCs to optimize cost, space, and power requirements during manufacturing and operation. This allows wireless connectivity to further enhance IoT device performance.
Synaptics
Synaptics has pioneered technical innovations for generations, developing over 2,600 patents. It consistently sets new performance and efficiency standards, expertly demonstrating how wireless connectivity enhances IoT performance for businesses and homeowners.
The Veros™ family of Wi-Fi 7 SoCs is an all-in-one connectivity solution purpose-built for the IoT. It supports next-generation applications like 8K video streaming, virtual reality gaming and cloud computing, delivering ultra-low latency and ultra-high bandwidth while minimizing power consumption. It boasts superior range, interoperability and performance.
MediaTek
As one of the largest global fabless semiconductor companies, MediaTek has led SoC development for IoT and mobile use cases. It leverages artificial intelligence cores and accelerators to enable seamless edge processing. The MediaTek Genio line supports numerous operating systems and has a long product life.
Qualcomm
Many large enterprises rely on Qualcomm for high-performance wireless connectivity solutions. Its Wi-Fi 7 products have features like 4K Quadrature Amplitude Modulation and multiuser scheduling algorithms, which can maintain a fast, dependable connection with less effort.
For instance, FastConnect 7900 integrates Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth and ultra-wideband on a single chip for consistently high speeds and low latency. The Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QCS603 SoC leverages similar technologies, but is purpose-built for low-power IoT applications.
Silicon Labs
Silicon Labs supplies SoCs for industrial, retail, municipal and smart homes. Its wireless connectivity portfolio includes Wi-Fi 4 and 6 solutions.
Features like gating strategies, target wake time and dynamic voltage scaling support ultra-low power consumption during long-range communication. This way, you can get up to five years of battery life from your smart devices.
The Future of IoT Performance With Wireless Connectivity
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth advancements push the boundaries of the IoT by making data transfers more secure, cost-effective and faster. Innovative techniques will help prevent network congestion and excessive power consumption even as devices proliferate.
This is key because ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low energy use are vital for home and industrial use cases.
So, how can wireless connectivity continue to enhance IoT device performance? As the IoT grows, more decision-makers realize the importance of purpose-built hardware and carefully crafted software-defined solutions.
You should look to their research and development teams for insights. Their work will inevitably guide the IoT’s future.
