Wireless Sensor Networks and Energy Harvesting

This assignment explores the topic of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and their dependence on energy harvesting techniques. It highlights the limitations of traditional batteries in WSNs, such as low energy density and current leakage. The assignment delves into various energy harvesting methods, including solar, radio frequency, hydro, and thermal energy harvesting, discussing their applications in overcoming these challenges. It emphasizes the importance of energy harvesting for ensuring the continuous operation and functionality of WSNs.

Running head: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Wireless Communication
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Energy Harvesting
The process of obtaining energy from resources other than conventional energy source is
known as energy harvesting. The major aim of energy harvesting is obtaining energy from
renewable and natural resources, which include solar energy, wind energy, radio frequency
energy, thermal power energy, kinetic energy, wind energy and so on. Wireless sensor networks
are one of the trending technologies of today’s time, which has certain limitations due to the
problems of current leakage and lower energy density of the batteries (Ulukus et al., 2015).
These limitations can be overcome with the help of high performance and emery efficient
harvesting systems. The different energy harvesting techniques that can be implemented in order
to overcome the problems faced by the wireless sensor networks includes association of different
energy association techniques.
Energy harvesting is necessary to be considered in case of wireless sensor network
because if the sensor node is depleted, it fails to perform its responsibilities in the network
further. The different energy harvesting techniques are listed below (Shaikh & Zeadally, 2016)-
1) Solar Energy- This is the most common energy harvesting technique that is used for
overcoming the associated energy.
2) Radio frequency- This type of energy harvesting consists of conversion of radio waves
into DC power
3) Hydro energy: The energy of moving water is harvested in order to generate
electricity.

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WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
4) Thermal energy: This method of energy harvesting deals with conversion of heat
energy into electrical energy
The other different energy harvesting techniques include hydro-based energy harvesting,
wind energy harvesting and flow based energy harvesting.

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WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
References
Shaikh, F. K., & Zeadally, S. (2016). Energy harvesting in wireless sensor networks: A
comprehensive review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 55, 1041-1054.
Ulukus, S., Yener, A., Erkip, E., Simeone, O., Zorzi, M., Grover, P., & Huang, K. (2015).
Energy harvesting wireless communications: A review of recent advances. IEEE Journal
on Selected Areas in Communications, 33(3), 360-381.