80  Protocol Selection Framework

80.1 Overview

Choosing the right IoT communication protocol is one of the most critical decisions in any IoT project. The wrong choice can lead to costly hardware redesigns, insufficient battery life, inadequate coverage, or excessive operational costs.

This chapter series provides a systematic framework for protocol selection, covering:

  1. Understanding the challenge and fundamental trade-offs
  2. A step-by-step methodology for eliminating and comparing protocols
  3. Common anti-patterns to avoid and engineering tradeoffs to consider
  4. Real-world scenarios with detailed worked examples

80.2 Chapter Series

NotePart 1: The Challenge

Understanding why protocol selection is difficult and the fundamental trade-offs involved.

Topics covered: - Why protocol selection is inherently complex - The fundamental trade-offs: range vs power vs bandwidth - Historical evolution of wireless protocols - IoT connectivity classes and the “1-10-100” rule - Protocol layering concepts

Read Part 1: The Challenge →

NotePart 2: Systematic Selection Framework

A structured three-step approach to selecting the right protocol.

Topics covered: - Step 1: Define application requirements (requirements matrix) - Step 2: Eliminate non-viable protocols (decision tree) - Step 3: Compare finalists (weighted scoring) - Real-world example: Smart Agriculture (vineyard monitoring) - Protocol comparison tables and visual references - Protocol selection checklist

Read Part 2: Systematic Selection →

NotePart 3: Anti-Patterns and Tradeoffs

Common mistakes to avoid and key engineering decisions.

Topics covered: - Five common anti-patterns that lead to costly redesigns - LoRaWAN vs NB-IoT tradeoff analysis - Mesh vs Star topology decision factors - Knowledge check questions

Read Part 3: Anti-Patterns and Tradeoffs →

NotePart 4: Real-World Scenarios

Detailed worked examples with TCO calculations.

Topics covered: - Scenario 1: Smart City Parking System (5,000 sensors) - Scenario 2: Wearable Health Monitor (CGM device) - Scenario 3: Fleet Tracking Across Three Continents (multi-protocol) - Scenario 4: Smart Building Retrofit (Thread/Zigbee mesh) - Visual reference gallery

Read Part 4: Real-World Scenarios →

80.3 Quick Reference

Key Trade-offs:

Dimension Options
Range Short (<100m): BLE, Zigbee, Wi-Fi
Power High: Wi-Fi, LTE
Bandwidth High (>1 Mbps): Wi-Fi, LTE
Infrastructure None: BLE P2P

Decision Starting Point:

  • Battery-powered + Long range → LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, Sigfox
  • Battery-powered + Short range → BLE, Zigbee, Thread
  • Mains-powered + High bandwidth → Wi-Fi
  • Mobile + Wide coverage → LTE-M, NB-IoT