Personal Area Network (PAN) is a network built “around” a person. Such networks are designed to unite all personal electronic equipment of the user (phones, PDAs, laptops, headsets, etc.). Such standardized networks nowadays are Bluetooth, ZigBee, Piconet.
Bluetooth Personal Area Network (PAN) is a technology that allows you to create an Ethernet network with wireless connections between laptops, mobile phones and handheld devices. You can connect to the following types of Bluetooth devices that work with a personal area network (PAN): a personal area network user device (PANU), a group network device without access points (GN), or a network access point (NAP) device.
Learn more about the functions of each of them:
PANU devices. Connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled PANU device creates an access point-free network that includes your computer and device.
GN devices. Connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled GN device creates an access point-free network that includes your computer, the GN device, and other PANU devices connected to that GN device.
NAP devices. Connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled NAP device allows you to connect your computer to a larger network, such as a home network, a corporate network, or the Internet.
Small number of subscribers (the network must support up to 8 participants)
Short range, up to 30 meters (100 feet)
Not critical to MTBF.
All devices included in the PAN network can be controlled.
No media arbitration. This means that there are no built-in controls on how and who can work with this type of network.
When you connect to a personal Bluetooth network, you get access to all Bluetooth-enabled devices and computers that are part of the personal network. This is easier than connecting to each of the many devices or computers individually. Connecting to a personal network automatically creates a TCP/IP connection between your computer and the Bluetooth device or other computers. For example, you can use a personal network to connect to another computer to share files or games.
One of the common goals pursued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Bluetooth SIG is the global use of wireless Personal Area Networks (PANs). The IEEE 802.15 Working Group is creating standards that will provide the foundation for widespread adoption of interoperable devices by establishing common rules for wireless digital communications.
The goal of the IEEE 802.15 working group is to create a single standard that will effectively coexist with other wireless networks, as IEEE 802.11b LAN, IEEE 802.15 PAN and Bluetooth wireless technology are specifically designed for devices used in the home or office.