The sensor network is mainly supported by WLAN or WPAN technology, combined with sensors. The transmission part of the "two-in-one" RFID of sensor and sensor network also belongs to WPAN or WLAN. The following introduces the characteristics, applications and initiators of the current mainstream WLAN and WPAN protocols.
| name | Features | application | Initiator |
| bluetooth | Low cost and close range, so that various devices in close range can realize seamless resource sharing | Remote sensing survey, mobile e-commerce, digital electronic equipment, industrial control, intelligent building, home and office automation, e-commerce, unlimited briefcase, military | Ericsson |
| HiperLAN | High-speed data transmission, link-oriented, good mobility, power saving, network and application independence | Adapt to a variety of fixed network types | European Standards Institute (ETSI) |
| HomeRF | The main task is to establish an interoperable voice and data communication network for home users | Home network | American Home Radio Frequency Committee |
| Insteon | Specially combined wireless and power line transmission dual mesh technology, communication and transmission via radio frequency signals around the home cable | Smart home | Smarthome |
| IrDA | Communication speed can reach 4Mbit/s | Consumer electronics applications | International Infrared Data Association |
| NFC | Provides a simple, touch-sensitive solution | Electronic tickets, retail stores and tourist attractions, transportation | Philips and Sony |
| RFID | RFID uses the RF frequency band, which belongs to the RFMesh network from the perspective of communication, but the main function of FRID is still based on TAG. | Logistics, military, anti-counterfeiting and other industries | Advocates: AUTO-ID, EPCglobal, etc. |
| Wifi | It belongs to the IEEE 802.11b protocol, the transmission speed is faster, the effective distance is also very long, no wiring, health and safety | Smartphones, corporate group customers, individual home users | Wi-Fi Alliance |
| WiMax | The 802.16 protocol provides longer transmission distances, higher-speed broadband access, multimedia communication services, and excellent last-mile network access services | Health care, education, public safety, e-government, smart transportation, maritime communications | WiMAX Forum |
| Z-wave | Low cost, low power consumption, high reliability based on radio frequency, transmission speed of 9.6Kbit/s | Lighting control, smart meters, household appliances function control, identity recognition, access (entrance) control, energy management system, fire warning, etc. | Zensys |
| Zigbee | The short-distance, low-speed wireless technology based on the IEEE 802.15.4 low-frequency wireless network standard has an effective range of 10m~50m, and the maximum data transmission speed supported is 250Kbit/s | Home, building automation | IEEE 802.15 working group (Honeywell, Invensys, etc.) |
| UWB | Fast transmission speed, large space capacity, low cost, low power consumption, etc. | Smart home, highway information service, car monitoring system, safety detection system, vehicle collision avoidance radar, positioning | Intel etc. |