Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G are wireless communication technologies suited to different embedded-system requirements. Wi-Fi generally supports high-speed local networking, Bluetooth prioritizes short-range low-power communication, and 5G provides wide-area mobile connectivity through a cellular network.
How Their Characteristics Differ
An embedded system contains hardware and software designed to perform a specific function. Selecting its communication technology requires trade-offs among range, data rate, power consumption, infrastructure, mobility, security, and cost.
| Technology | Main characteristics | Suitable embedded-system application |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | High data rate over a local area; connects through a wireless access point; moderate to high power consumption | A security camera transmitting video through a home or school network |
| Bluetooth | Short range; relatively low data rate; low power consumption, especially Bluetooth Low Energy; direct device pairing is possible | A wearable sensor sending periodic measurements to a smartphone |
| 5G | Wide-area cellular coverage; high data rate and low latency where supported; requires a mobile network and subscription; usually consumes more power than Bluetooth Low Energy | A connected vehicle or remote monitoring system that must communicate while moving |
The selection process begins by defining the system's specifications. A battery-powered fitness sensor does not need 5G's wide-area connectivity, so Bluetooth Low Energy is more appropriate because it reduces energy consumption and can use the user's phone as a gateway.
By contrast, a mobile embedded system operating beyond a local Wi-Fi network may require 5G. Wi-Fi is suitable when high-volume data transfer is needed within an existing local network, but its usefulness decreases when the product moves beyond access-point coverage.
A common misconception is that 5G means 5 GHz Wi-Fi. 5G cellular communication is the fifth generation of mobile-network technology, whereas 5 GHz Wi-Fi is a Wi-Fi frequency band.
IB Exam Technique
For B3.4 HL, do not simply identify the technology with the greatest speed. Justify the selection against the design context using at least two relevant criteria, such as power consumption, range, mobility, data rate, infrastructure, security, or operating cost.
