Wi-Fi HaLow Powering the Smart cities
Wi-Fi HaLow or High-Efficiency Low Power (HELP), a wireless technology specification based on the IEEE 802.11ah protocol.
Wi-Fi HaLow introduced in 2016, operates on sub-1GHz frequencies, distinguishing from traditional Wi-Fi standards with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies.
The key factors powering the evolution of smart cities with Wi-Fi HaLow:-
- Long Range and Low Power:
An impressive signal range is offered by Wi-Fi HaLow to reach a certain kilometer or more in line of sight. The lower frequency supports the penetration barriers such as walls effectively. The narrower channels with slower data rates deliver speeds ranging from 150Kbps over a longer distance to 86.7Mbps.
- Complementing existing Wi-Fi
Traditional Wi-Fi is not replaced but complements the Wi-Fi HaLow. IoT devices are served with smart city projects and also with mesh networking systems with extended connectivity without the need for multiple access points or complex wired setups.
- IoT-Friendly: The low power consumption of Wi-Fi HaLow with long-range capabilities is an ideal combination for IoT applications. In the US, the Wi-Fi HaLow operates at a frequency of 900Hz frequency with a part of the license-exempt spectrum.
Evolution of Smart Cities
A paradigm shift in smart cities in urban design, navigation, and experience is observed. The evolution of smart cities is driven by digital transformation and IoT technologies. It is also a hub of intelligent connectivity.
According to Comptia, the evolution of smart cities is not without its experimentation and the Full-Scale rollout stage that is on the horizon. The towns provide technology for enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and livability.
Smart cities require attention that is beyond technology for people and processes to go through with integrating diverse systems such as transportation, energy, and public services requiring collaboration and effective management.
Smart cities have diversified opportunities in the innovation sector with various dimensions, such as smart economy, mobility, environment, people, living conditions, and governance. The diversified culture supports creating both opportunities and challenges in an urban development arena.
The collaboration of public and private sectors is highly successful in smart city initiatives with partnerships driving innovation, funding, and sustainable growth.
What is the role of Wi-Fi HaLow in Smart Cities?
One of the key roles of Wi-Fi HaLow is in shaping smart cities. The connectivity is beyond 1 km and is suitable for large urban areas and remote locations.
Energy-efficient IoT devices are benefitting low power consumption from Wi-Fi HaLow’s low power consumption to ensure longevity and sustainability. Wi-Fi-certified WPA3 security is incorporated with safeguarding data transmitted across smart city networks.
Wi-FI HaLow single access points can connect over 8,000 devices, to enable seamless communication among sensors, wearables, and other IoT components.
According to everythingRF, the transit systems are transformed with Wi-Fi HaLow’s superior range with performance addressing the bottlenecks in the network infrastructure. The upgrades for smart city transit systems can outperform conventional Wi-Fi with low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) such as LoRa.
In my opinion, Wi-FI HaLow is a strong contender to empower smart cities with reliability, long-range connectivity, automation of urban services, and promotion of environmental sustainability.
The extension of security, energy management, and occupant services with compliance systems are used to act as a vital component of the smart city revolution.
Sources:- How To Geek, Comptia Community, springer link, everythingrf, SSRN, medium, lorex, networkworld
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