Personal area networks (Computer networks)

A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network for interconnecting electronic devices within an individual person's workspace. A PAN provides data transmission among devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and personal digital assistants. PANs can be used for communication among the personal devices themselves, or for connecting to a higher-level network and the Internet, where one master device takes up the role as gateway. A PAN may be carried over wired interfaces such as USB, but may be carried wirelessly, and specifically called a wireless personal area network (WPAN) using short-distance wireless network technology such as IrDA, Wireless USB, Bluetooth, NearLink, or Zigbee. The reach of a WPAN varies from a few centimeters to a few meters. WPANs specifically tailored for low-power operation of wireless sensors are sometimes called low-power personal area networks (LPPANs) to better distinguish them from low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs).