Wireless communications have revolutionized virtually every industry, from healthcare to defense to consumer electronics. We recently asked 10 engineers to prognosticate on the future of wireless technology. France-based engineer Robert Lacoste writes:
I don’t know if the forecasts about the Internet of Things (IoT) are realistic (some analysts predict from 20 to 100 billion devices in the next five years), but I’m sure it will be a huge market. And 99% of IoT products are and will be wireless. Currently, the vast majority of “things” connect to the Internet through a user’s smartphone, used as a gateway typically through a Bluetooth Smart link. Other devices (e.g., home control or smart metering) require the installation of a dedicated fixed RF-to-Internet gateway, using ZigBee, 6lowPan, or something similar. But the next big thing will be the availability of “connect anywhere” solutions, through low-power wide area networks, nicknamed LPWA. Even if the underlying technology is not actually new (i.e., using very low bit rates to achieve long range at low powers), the contenders are numerous: LORA Alliance, INGENU, SIGFOX, WEIGHTLESS, and a couple of others. At the same time, the traditional telcos are developing very similar solutions using cellular bands and variants of the 3GPP protocols. EC-GSM, LTE-MTC, and NB-IOT are the most discussed alternatives. So, the first big question is this: Which one (or ones, as a one-size-fits-all solution is unlikely) will be the winner? The second big question has to do with whether or not IoT products will be useful for society. But that’s another story!
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Robert Lacoste, France (Founder, Alciom; Columnist, Circuit Cellar)
