The Internet of Things (IoT) is a dynamic global network infrastructure, which consists of interconnected smart devices with identification, sensing, data processing, and communication capabilities. It provides an intelligent ecosystem to the information society by enabling advanced services, standards, and platforms. Due to the growing market for smart devices with IP connectivity, several companies have introduced low power Wi-Fi products, which are optimized for IoT applications. Since Wi-Fi has established itself as one of the most popular wireless network technologies offering connectivity, it has brought many advantages to IP enabled IoT devices (e.g., high data rate, mobility, built-in IP-network compatibility, easy integration with existing infrastructure, etc.) and has generated momentum in the IoT industry. However, since Wi-Fi was originally developed for high-bandwidth applications targeting the consumer electronics market, it was not considered as a feasible technology for IoT applications. Wi-Fi-based IoT devices are typically battery-operated. Their wireless communication modules consume a relatively high amount of energy for long-distance data communications. Therefore, the battery lifetime requirement for these devices is of primary importance. Such small devices should transmit data at high efficiency to conserve battery power. They are also required to sustain reliable battery operation for years even in the presence of heavy interference. Considering the limitations of battery power and long operational lifetime, the development of energy-efficient systems for these devices is of particular importance. In this study, the power consumption of a Wi-Fi IoT device deployed in field settings, where power infrastructure is inaccessible, is analyzed. The influence of the device’s Wi-Fi module on power consumption in IoT environments is also investigated. Experimental results confirm that Wi-Fi-based IoT devices are still power-hungry. However, they are able to operate well with low-power consumption using energy-optimized power modes.
Cite this article as: Yüksel ME. A Power Consumption Analysis for Wi-Fi IoT Devices. Electrica, 2020; 20(1): 62-71.