A Comparative Study of Wi-Fi Technologies in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become a fundamental part in various Internet of Things (IoT) applications, such as smart cities, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring. This paper focuses on utilizing Wi-Fi technology within WSNs due to its high data rates and widespread infrastructure, which are essential for real-time monitoring and control applications. We conduct a comparative analysis of popular wireless communication technologies, including ZigBee, Bluetooth, and LoRa, and identify Wi-Fi as a suitable option for scenarios requiring extensive data transmission. The system design involves using ESP32 microcontrollers as sensor nodes to collect and transmit data wirelessly to a central gateway. Performance evaluation demonstrates the reliability and efficiency of the Wi-Fi-based WSN, with notable improvements in data transmission reliability, reduced power consumption using Wi-Fi 6's Target Wake Time (TWT) feature, and low-latency performance suitable for real-time applications. Despite the challenges posed by high power consumption and susceptibility to interference, hybrid solutions combining Wi-Fi with other low-power technologies like ZigBee or LoRa are suggested to enhance energy efficiency and coverage. This study highlights Wi-Fi's potential in WSNs and its applicability to a wide range of IoT implementations.