Challenges, Applications, and Future of Wireless Sensors in Internet of Things: A Review

The addition of massive machine type communication (mMTC) as a category of Fifth Generation (5G) of mobile communication, have increased the popularity of Internet of Things (IoT). The sensors are one of the critical component of any IoT device. Although the sensors posses a well-known historical existence, but their integration in wireless technologies and increased demand in IoT applications have increased their importance and the challenges in terms of design, integration, etc. This survey presents a holistic (historical as well as architectural) overview of wireless sensor (WS) nodes, providing a classical definition, in-depth analysis of different modules involved in the design of a WS node, and the ways in which they can be used to measure a system performance. Using the definition and analysis of a WS node, a more comprehensive classification of WS nodes is provided. Moreover, the need to form a wireless sensor network (WSN), their deployment, and communication protocols is explained. The applications of WS nodes in various use cases have been discussed. Additionally, an overlook of challenges and constraints that these WS nodes face in various environments and during the manufacturing process, are discussed. Their main existing developments which are expected to augment the WS nodes, to meet the requirements of the emerging systems, are also presented.

Automated summary

This survey provides a comprehensive overview of wireless sensor nodes, including their historical and architectural background, as well as an in-depth analysis of their design and system performance measurement. It also discusses the need for wireless sensor networks, their deployment and communication protocols, and explores the challenges and limitations faced by these nodes in different environments and during the manufacturing process. The survey concludes with an overview of existing developments expected to enhance wireless sensor nodes to meet the requirements of emerging systems.