Without getting too technical, it’s important to understand how your smart devices function together so you can get the most out of your home automation system.
Wireless home automation functions through low-power devices that send and receive information. For example, light sensors that detect the sunrise and send commands to open (or close) your smart shades automatically.
The devices can communicate through a variety of wireless connections. You are likely familiar with Bluetooth, a lower power connection, and WiFi, which requires more power but can be used for higher-data applications. But there are also ANT (network) connections that run at ultra-low power, and ZigBee, which is also a low-power option that gives devices multiple channels to communicate over so that each device can connect with one another.
It’s important to know that these different connections exist as some smart home hubs will only communicate using one or two of these, making them incompatible with smart devices that use other connection methods. Researching which connection is utilized by the hub you want and the devices you want to connect will save you from a big headache and potentially useless devices later on.