Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Connectivity for IoT Networks
Chandrani Ray Chowdhury
Abstract
     

Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative technology that connects various devices and systems to enable seamless communication and data exchange. However, the rapid proliferation of IoT devices has led to significant challenges in terms of energy consumption and connectivity, highlighting the need for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Considering the aforementioned facts, in this dissertation, we propose different schemes to support seamless connectivity and minimize the energy consumption of IoT networks. Connectivity plays a major role in enabling efficient data exchange and communication among IoT devices. Research in this area focuses on developing optimized routing protocols, adaptive transmission schemes, and efficient spectrum utilization techniques. However, despite the aforementioned advancements, connectivity remains one of the primary concerns for IoT networks. Additionally, resource limitations prevent using all communication protocols in IoT networks. Interruptions caused by interference and mobility affect the seamless operation of IoT networks, necessitating the development of schemes to reduce communication disruptions. In this dissertation, we focus on the adaptability of IEEE 802.11 communication protocols for IoT networks considering their interoperability and broad device compatibility.

Energy scarcity is a major concern for low-power and battery-operated IoT devices. Resource constraints limit their ability to handle large-scale data processing, and batteries need to be recharged to avoid connectivity loss. However, recharging batteries is challenging in hostile regions, leading researchers to propose various energy harvesting methods for IoT networks. Harvesting energy from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and ocean waves, is preferred over non-renewable ones due to the reduction in global supply and large carbon footprint of non-renewable energy sources. The dependency of environmental energy sources on weather dynamics makes them inefficient in supplying stable energy to IoT nodes. Therefore, in addition to renewable and laser energy harvesting, energy-efficient schemes need to be considered to avoid energy outages of IoT devices. In this dissertation, we propose schemes to – a) restore the energy balance of resource constrained IoT networks, b) minimize the dissociation of IoT devices from their associated access points, c) maintain connected dominating set in energy harvesting-enabled IoT devices, d) managing energy harvesting of access points in software-defined wireless local area networks, and e) minimize the energy consumption and latency of allocating IoT services to edge servers.

     
     
     
Keywords: IoT devices, IoT networks, Energy, Solar energy harvesting, Connectivity, IEEE 802.11, Laser, Network interference, Mobility, Dissociation, Con- nected dominating set, Software-defined wireless local area networks, MetaHeuristic algorithms


     
chitta@iitkgp.ac.in [Publications list]