Short distance wireless and Its opportunities

The vast majority of the wireless transceivers designed over the past couple of decades have focused on medium (10-100 m) and long distance (100 m and more) transmission ranges. Only recently with the emergence of wireless sensor networks and radio-frequency identifications (RFIDs) has substantial attention been paid to the opportunities offered by creating wireless connectivity over very short distances (well below 1 m). Unfortunately, short distance often corresponds to ultra-small size, power, or cost, making the realization of such transceivers a major challenge. Continued technology scaling, combined with the emergence of novel microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) components, advanced packaging techniques, and novel energy sources, may finally make the realization of such dust nodes possible. Before discussing the needs and requirements imposed on these nodes, it is worth exploring what applications may be enabled by their availability.