Monthly Archives: February 2023

PowerG Comes to IQ Remote

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Never worry about your secondary panel’s connection

The range, speed and stability of Wi-Fi connections can be finnicky. Setting up devices that rely on Wi-Fi connectivity inherently becomes a guessing game as users work out the Venn diagram between where they need their devices and how far the Wi-Fi connection will reach.

PowerG revolutionizes connection with unprecedented range and stability, and it’s available now in IQ Remote.

With IQ Remote’s new PowerG functionality, up to eight secondary panels can seamlessly pair with an IQ Panel 4, IQ4 Hub or powerful commercial-grade IQ Pro at greater ranges than Wi-Fi can provide to give users ultimate control over their security systems wherever they need it.

PowerG offers over one mile of secure, encrypted range so IQ Remote users can confidently place their panels and devices wherever they need to without worrying about a loss of connection, even if the Wi-Fi goes down. Through its industry-leading reliability, IQ Remote PowerG provides a powerful solution to potential Wi-Fi connectivity issues in commercial installs or homes with multiple entry points.

 

IQ Remote with PowerG includes the same great features as IQ Remote, boasting a high-definition 7” touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and over the air updates, all powered by Alarm.com. Many PowerG-enabled security devices have already released, with more becoming available all the time, so IQ Remote PowerG customers can rest assured knowing their IQ Remote PowerG and future PowerG devices will be able to join their system without issue.

 

What is Wi-Fi 6?

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The newest generation of Wi-Fi technology is more than a catchy name.

When connecting to new Wi-Fi networks on your smartphone, you may have noticed a small “6” next to your Wi-Fi signal strength and thought to yourself, “What does that even mean?” Maybe you didn’t even notice it because of how tiny it is.

Even though the symbol is small, that little number is a big deal. When it appears, congratulations! You are now connected to a Wi-Fi 6 network.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, following a change in Wi-Fi Alliance’s naming conventions. Wi-Fi 6 is faster and more secure than Wi-Fi 5, with support for new WPA3 encryption and a theoretical maximum transmission of 9.6Gbps – nearly triple Wi-Fi 5’s 3.5Gbps max.

While it’s true that Wi-Fi 6 is faster than previous iterations of Wi-Fi, you’re unlikely to notice a significant change in speeds on your wireless devices. According to Ookla’s speedtest.net, the average download speed in the United States at the end of 2022 was 78.86Mbps, or .7% of Wi-Fi 6’s theoretical maximum. Even across multiple devices, you’re unlikely to ever need to hit that limit.

Where Wi-Fi 6 really shines is in the number of devices that can connect to the network and maintain fast speeds. As more Wi-Fi devices make their way into homes and homes come bundled with more Wi-Fi devices, wireless routers need to keep up with the onslaught of connections headed their way.

Wi-Fi 6 enables routers to handle the ever-increasing number of devices with ease. Through features that more efficiently manage when and where data is transmitted, more devices can connect without slowdowns than with previous generations of Wi-Fi. Improvements to wireless security standards on Wi-Fi 6 means you can connect with confidence knowing that your information is safe.

What do I need?

Wi-Fi 6 starts with the right router. While Wi-Fi 6 is an amazing improvement to wireless connectivity on its own, picking the router that addresses your needs is essential to getting the most out of your connections. Router features can help you create an easier and more unified wireless experience with Wi-Fi 6.

IQ WiFi 6

The IQ WiFi 6 router utilizes Wi-Fi 6 like other routers on the market but offers additional features and benefits specific to the security industry to make your home or business safer than ever before. Remote router access, Alarm.com and IQ Panel integration, and a dedicated network for security devices means your Wi-Fi 6 network can provide the best wireless connection, no matter the device.

Get Connected with IQ Pro: Traditional, Addressable Loops & PowerG Wireless

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IQ Pro connectivity works through traditional wiring schemes, addressable loops or PowerG.

The new IQ Pro is a game-changer for connectivity.

No matter if you’re using hardwired or wireless connections, IQ Pro helps you set-up and manage your system easier than ever. But what kind of connections are there, and how does IQ Pro fit in?

PowerG Wireless:

IQ Pro does wireless different than other hybrid panels. PowerG Wireless is embedded in the panel, so there’s no other purchases necessary before a system can utilize PowerG’s 1.24 miles of range and secure connectivity. If the IQ Pro is in an inconvenient spot where it can’t be used fully, users can purchase PowerG Hosts to centralize or extend PowerG’s wireless connections.
 
IQ Pro’s PowerG wireless capabilities are powerful and flexible, but sometimes an install necessitates hardwired connections. These connections come in two main forms: traditional schemas and addressable loop schemas.

Traditional Wiring Schemas:

Traditional wiring schemas require each device within a security system to have its own wiring connected back to the panel. This method of wiring is best utilized in smaller residential installs as running individual connections through a building to every single device can become quite laborious.
 
Even considering the higher amount of effort involved, this method is relatively cheap compared to other wiring options. Wires in traditional schemas don’t have to be run in a specific way and do not require the purchase of specialty devices or panels to function correctly. By using this schema, installers can cheaper devices to connect to the system without fear of compatibility issues or set-up headaches.

Addressable Loop Schemas:

Rather than running wires to every device individually, an addressable loop schema runs one wire through every device on the system. Rather than having its own connection to a panel, each device is assigned an address within the system to give it a way of individually relaying its status and other information to the panel.

Because this method is less labor-intensive than the traditional schema, addressable loops are commonly used in large-scale installations. Installs are made simpler as the entire system uses less material overall than a traditional schema of the same size. Additionally, if a building has intrusion infrastructure already in place, an installer can utilize the existing wiring to set their devices up on a new system. However, to function correctly, addressable loops require addressable panels and devices that can cost quite a bit more than traditional wiring hardware.

If an installer does end up in a situation where using wires is the best option, with IQ Pro, they’ll be able to complete the install regardless of the building’s schema. IQ Pro works with either traditional or addressable loop wiring schemas to painlessly get security systems up and running.Instead of antiquated menu-driven setup, IQ Pro’s installer app, available for Android and Apple devices, reduces install times even more by taking installers through clear step-by-step installation instructions and troubleshooting.
 
No matter your connection, IQ Pro is there to help you manage and secure your assets like never before.