A personal area network (PAN) is a small-scale network that connects electronic devices within a user’s immediate vicinity, typically within a range of just a few centimeters to a few meters. A classic example is the Bluetooth connection between a smartphone and a wireless headset. Other common PAN devices include laptops, tablets, printers, keyboards, and smart accessories.
PANs can be either wired (using USB or FireWire) or wireless, with Bluetooth being the most widely used wireless option. Additional wireless technologies used in PANs include Wi-Fi, IrDA (infrared), and Zigbee.
Although devices in a PAN can share data, the network usually doesn’t include a router, meaning it doesn’t connect directly to the internet. However, one of the devices in the PAN—such as a desktop computer—might connect to a local area network (LAN), which then provides internet access. For instance, your wireless mouse and headphones might all interact with the same computer, which alone connects to the web.
What Is a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)?
A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a PAN that relies solely on wireless technologies. These networks use short-range protocols like Bluetooth for connectivity. Today, most personal area networks are wireless.
Due to the nature of these protocols, WPANs typically cover very short distances—usually no more than 5 to 10 meters—making them ideal for personal, close-proximity connections.
How Does a Body Area Network (BAN) Differ from a PAN?
A body area network (BAN) is a specialized type of personal network that connects biomedical sensors placed on, in, or near the human body. These networks are often used for monitoring health conditions or supporting medical functions, like a pacemaker with wireless reporting features.
While BANs may use similar technologies to WPANs (such as Bluetooth), their application is focused on healthcare. Most PANs, by contrast, involve everyday devices and do not include medical sensors.
