Personal area network

A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network for interconnecting electronic devices within an individual person's workspace.^[1] A PAN provides data transmission among devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and personal digital assistants. 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 gateway.

A PAN may be carried over wired interfaces such as USB, but is predominantly carried wirelessly, also called a wireless personal area network (WPAN). A PAN is wirelessly carried over a low-powered, short-distance wireless network technology such as IrDA, Wireless USB, Bluetooth, NearLink or Zigbee. The reach of a WPAN varies from a few centimeters to a few meters. WPANs specifically tailored for low-power operation of the sensors are sometimes also called low-power personal area network (LPPAN) to better distinguish them from low-power wide-area network (LPWAN).

^ Gratton, Dean A. (2013). The Handbook of Personal Area Networking Technologies and Protocols. Cambridge University Press. pp. 15–18. ISBN 9780521197267. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2018.

[Gratton2013-1] Gratton, Dean A. (2013). The Handbook of Personal Area Networking Technologies and Protocols. Cambridge University Press. pp. 15–18. ISBN 9780521197267. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2018.

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