The future of Wi-Fi HaLow IP cameras

In recent years, the use of home security cameras has increased dramatically, providing an effective method for monitoring and protecting homes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 2.5 million burglaries occur in the United States each year, and approximately 260 million packages were stolen by "hallway thieves" in 2022 . In fact, homes with security cameras are 300% safer than homes without them. As a result, an estimated 20% of U.S. homes currently have surveillance cameras installed, and the surveillance camera market is expected to grow 18% annually through 2030.

Most wireless security cameras and wired (such as battery-powered) security cameras use traditional Wi-Fi, including Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, to connect to the Internet and the home network. However, traditional Wi-Fi connectivity options have several limitations that hinder Wi-Fi's ability to effectively support security cameras. For example, Wi-Fi signals in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands have limited range and limited ability to penetrate walls and other obstructions, making it difficult to meet the needs for robust long-distance data connections. From a security perspective, these problems can cause monitoring failures, such as gaps in coverage and blurred images.  

The limitations of traditional Wi-Fi, coupled with the need for security in spaces both inside and outside homes and other buildings, have created a market opportunity for IP cameras, which can operate over long distances and through walls and other obstacles. Can guarantee a robust network connection. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow is based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard and certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and is designed to meet the needs of long-range, battery-powered IoT applications such as security cameras. Let’s take a look at the many ways Wi-Fi HaLow outperforms traditional Wi-Fi in home security camera applications.

Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 use higher radio frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands), while Wi-Fi HaLow uses sub- GH frequencies, which allows the signal to travel further than those higher frequencies. For example, Wi-Fi HaLow's lower sub-GHz frequency and narrower band RF channels provide 10 times the coverage of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi at the same transmit power level. This means that Wi-Fi HaLow cameras can continue to stream video over long distances where traditional Wi-Fi camera heads lose connection.

In addition, sub-GHz signals pass through obstacles such as walls and doors and windows more easily than high-frequency signals. Compared with traditional Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi HaLow signals are much less affected by building structures and can easily reach outdoor locations. Wi-Fi HaLow can also support more than 8,000 devices through a single access point (AP), making it a cost-effective choice for large-scale deployment of IoT devices.

Another advantage of Wi-Fi HaLow is energy efficiency. The technology was designed with power-sensitive IoT devices in mind, making Wi-Fi HaLow ideal for battery-powered security cameras. Wi-Fi HaLow consumes less power than traditional Wi-Fi technology, which means cameras and other IoT devices that use batteries have a longer working life. Not only does this save homeowners the trouble of frequently replacing batteries, it also reduces the environmental impact of disposing of used batteries.

In addition, Wi-Fi HaLow supports the latest Wi-Fi security features such as WPA3 and AES. WPA3 provides more effective security measures than its predecessor, WPA2, by using stronger encryption algorithms for authentication and encryption. AES is a widely used encryption standard that secures data transmitted between devices. These advanced security technologies make Wi-Fi HaLow an ideal choice for home security cameras, protecting users from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Finally, Wi-Fi HaLow is based on the open IEEE 802.11 standard and can use the Wi-Fi Alliance's network access protocols, such as Wi-Fi Easy Connect or the Connection Standards Alliance's Matter, thereby simplifying device and network installation . Operational costs are reduced because no proprietary gateways, controllers or hubs are required. As a result, Wi-Fi HaLow is an attractive option for homeowners looking to increase home security in a simple, cost-effective way.

With break-ins and porch thefts becoming more frequent, the need for reliable, cost-effective security cameras is higher than ever. Wi-Fi HaLow provides a solution to the connection problems caused by traditional Wi-Fi technology, and has many advantages such as wider range, higher energy efficiency, stronger security, and easier installation. Based on these advantages, Wi-Fi HaLow is gaining more and more popularity in the security camera market. No wireless protocol meets the unique requirements of battery-powered security cameras as effectively as Wi-Fi HaLow. Therefore, we are likely to see more Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled security camera heads appear in front of consumers in the next few years, thus promoting the growth of the home security camera market.