Which network type connects through infrared signals and is designed for short-range, device-to-device communication?

• A. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)
• B. Local Area Network (LAN)
• C. Wide Area Network (WAN)
• D. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Answer: (A)

Infrared-based, short-range, device-to-device communication is a Wireless Personal Area Network. WPANs are designed to connect nearby personal devices directly, over small distances (a few meters), using media like infrared or Bluetooth. Infrared, in particular, often requires line-of-sight and is well-suited for quick, direct links between a handset and a headset, a remote and a TV, or a laptop and a printer.

Local Area Network covers devices within a building or campus using Ethernet or Wi‑Fi and focuses on broader connectivity. Wide Area Network spans large geographic areas across cities or countries. Metropolitan Area Network covers an entire city. None of these emphasize the close-range, direct device-to-device links that WPANs specialize in.