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It's not exactly on-topic, but why does all IoT stuff use 2.4Ghz? Basically every router has 5Ghz nowadays, even the cheap ISP ones, and spectrum pollution is a

It's not exactly on-topic, but why does all IoT stuff use 2.4Ghz? Basically every router has 5Ghz nowadays, even the cheap ISP ones, and spectrum pollution is an obvious problem. Is there any reason to prefer 2.4Ghz or to avoid supporting both?

fogihujy 6y ago
Because there's a shitload of cheap surplus 2.4 GHz parts in stock now that everyone wants 5 GHz capability? Also, many people have really, really crappy routers, walls that 5 GHz signals have issues penetrating, and so on.
- TeMPOraL 6y ago
  ESP8266. Good news: everyone can have a cheap Wi-Fi chip to put in their project. Bad news: everyone can have a cheap Wi-Fi chip to put in their project.
fomine3 6y ago
IoT devices (except something like NVR cameras) uses very little bandwidth and little time, so why you need 5GHz? 2.4GHz is better for range, all AP/Client supports same frequency on worldwide, cheap, and so on. I suspect that there are few reason to implement both 5GHz and 2.4GHz for IoT devices. Supporting all 5GHz band would increase cost. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(8...
jfim 6y ago
Because ESP8266 and ESP32 chips are really cheap, and they only do 2.4GHz.
zejn 6y ago
Yes. 1) 5GHz modules are more expensive. 2) 2.4GHz has channels 1 - 11 globally, with 12 and 13 in some countries. 5GHz only has channels 32 - 48 globally. Depending on country of distribution it then can support other channels too, but which channels are legal varies significantly. To support those, you need to know which regulatory area you are distributing to. So - additionally to HW being more expensive, you have to have different SKU for different regulatory areas, meaning production runs of different hw - more costs added. Limiting yourself to channels 32 - 48 to claim 5GHz compatibility will just cause you support pain & public image when people will complain your device does not really work with 5GHz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(8...

fogihujy 6y ago

Because there's a shitload of cheap surplus 2.4 GHz parts in stock now that everyone wants 5 GHz capability? Also, many people have really, really crappy routers, walls that 5 GHz signals have issues penetrating, and so on.

TeMPOraL 6y ago
ESP8266. Good news: everyone can have a cheap Wi-Fi chip to put in their project. Bad news: everyone can have a cheap Wi-Fi chip to put in their project.

fomine3 6y ago

IoT devices (except something like NVR cameras) uses very little bandwidth and little time, so why you need 5GHz? 2.4GHz is better for range, all AP/Client supports same frequency on worldwide, cheap, and so on. I suspect that there are few reason to implement both 5GHz and 2.4GHz for IoT devices. Supporting all 5GHz band would increase cost. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(8...

jfim 6y ago

Because ESP8266 and ESP32 chips are really cheap, and they only do 2.4GHz.

zejn 6y ago

Yes. 1) 5GHz modules are more expensive. 2) 2.4GHz has channels 1 - 11 globally, with 12 and 13 in some countries. 5GHz only has channels 32 - 48 globally. Depending on country of distribution it then can support other channels too, but which channels are legal varies significantly. To support those, you need to know which regulatory area you are distributing to. So - additionally to HW being more expensive, you have to have different SKU for different regulatory areas, meaning production runs of different hw - more costs added. Limiting yourself to channels 32 - 48 to claim 5GHz compatibility will just cause you support pain & public image when people will complain your device does not really work with 5GHz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(8...