Difference between Piconet and Scatternet

In Piconet, many networks are connected to each other through the use of devices such as Bluetooth. Scatternet is made up of two or more piconets that form a network, actually acting as a bridge between multiple piconets. Both are usually applied to Bluetooth devices. Furthermore, scatternet and piconet are ad hoc computer networks. Piconet has a maximum network range of 7 devices, while scatternet has a range of more than 8 devices. Both apply to Bluetooth wireless technology / devices. The devices of the piconet basically function as a master and slave piconet and the scatternet has devices in which one of the types of piconet participates as a master or slave in another type of piconet of the same scatternet. The radio that is responsible for determining the channel is designated and then the phase used by each device in that piconet. So the radio gives a parameter according to which each device has to tune in. In this type of network, the slaves and the master go hand in hand and cannot function without the other. And the slave cannot function without the master until the master gives it permission. Also, the area of ​​the network is covered by piconet as the optimal range is 10 meters, but the dispersion network can cover a larger area as it has a wider range.In addition, there is less efficient use of the width of Bluetooth channel band while, on the other hand, the scatternet having a multi-piconet network has efficient channel bandwidth. If we look at the ability to share data, Scatternet typically has unlimited network and sharing capacity compared to Piconett which has limited capacity. Both networks can be applied with smart phones, small mobile devices and home appliances.But mainly because piconet is a simpler network than scatternet, so it can serve small devices and home appliances, while scatternet has a complex network that can work with more of 8 devices and has the ability to handle smartphones and new appliances. At the time of application, the data transfer rate in a piconet ranges from 220-2,100 kbps. small mobile devices and home appliances.But mainly because piconet is a simpler network than scatternet, so it can serve small devices and home appliances, while scatternet has a complex network that can work with more than 8 devices and has the ability to handle smart phones and new appliances. At the time of application, the data transfer rate in a piconet ranges from 220-2,100 kbps. small mobile devices and home appliances.But mainly because piconet is a simpler network than scatternet, so it can serve small devices and home appliances, while scatternet has a complex network that can work with more than 8 devices and has the ability to handle smart phones and new appliances. At the time of application, the data transfer rate in a piconet ranges from 220-2,100 kbps.

Difference between Piconet and Scatternet in tabular form (Comparative chart)

What is Piconet ?

The word piconet is derived from “Pico” which means “very small” and as for piconet and yes it is a small network that can connect up to 7 devices. It is an ad-hoc computer network that is a medium through which wireless devices connect to each other with the help of Bluetooth devices. Once a network is created, there are devices that act as master and slave and work with each other coordinating different frequencies. As it has a smaller, inefficient, and less channel bandwidth, it is also called a PAN, which stands for Personal Area Network. This network covers the area of ​​only the size of a room, so it can be deployed on small devices such as mobile devices and home appliances that need to communicate with each other. The example of its implementation can be PS3 which is a gaming system. It is up to us how many wired controllers we want to connect with PS3, but normally we can connect two, but not anymore. Piconet allows connecting all 4 controllers at the same time by implementing Bluetooth technology where the main console station acts as a master and the controllers as slaves.

What is Scatternet ?

The word itself is self-explanatory up to a certain point, as it says “dispersion,” which means in several or many directions. So scatternet is a network that is at least created by combining two or more piconets. It is also associated with Bluetooth devices that act as master and slaves, that is, when a certain device in the piconet acts as a master or slave participating with another piconet that also acts as a master or slave. Scatternet mainly acts as a bridge between different piconets. This network (scatternet) is an amazing network that has a large, efficient channel bandwidth and more as it has the ability to serve large area networks and more than 8 devices.

Differences in a nutshell

1. Piconet is made up of different networks linked together with Bluetooth technology; The scatternet is formed by combining two or more piconets.
2. It has the capacity to serve up to 7-8 devices; scatternet can serve more than 8 devices.
3. Scatternet has a large coverage area; piconet has a small coverage area.
4. In this type of Bluetooth network, the connected devices can act as masters or slaves, while in scatternet the devices can act as masters or slaves, or sometimes even both.
5. Piconet is a simple network; scatternet is a somewhat advanced and complex network.
6. Scatternet allows more efficient use of channel bandwidth, while piconet allows less efficient use of channel bandwidth with respect to Bluetooth.
7. Piconet can be used in small mobile devices and household appliances; Scatternet can be used with smartphones and many household appliances.

Final Thought

There are cases where, while using your phone, you click a button and then you don’t know what is really happening. The two terms explained in this article are the same, they are used a lot by people knowingly or unknowingly but have no idea of ​​their functions. This article will hopefully help people understand both terms.