Challenge: ultra-low-power energy-harvesting active networked tags (EnHANTs)

This paper presents the design challenges posed by a new class of ultra-low-power devices referred to as Energy-Harvesting Active Networked Tags (EnHANTs). EnHANTs are small, flexible, and self-reliant (in terms of energy) devices that can be attached to objects that are traditionally not networked (e.g., books, clothing, and produce), thereby providing the infrastructure for various novel tracking applications. Examples of these applications include locating misplaced items, continuous monitoring of objects (items in a store, boxes in transit), and determining locations of disaster survivors. Recent advances in ultra-low-power wireless communications, ultra-wideband (UWB) circuit design, and organic electronic harvesting techniques will enable the realization of EnHANTs in the near future. In order for EnHANTs to rely on harvested energy, they have to spend significantly less energy than Bluetooth, Zigbee, and IEEE 802.15.4a devices. Moreover, the harvesting components and the ultr...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2009
• Where: MOBICOM
• Authors: Maria Gorlatova, Peter R. Kinget, Ioannis Kymissis, Dan Rubenstein, Xiaodong Wang, Gil Zussman
• Keywords: Communications, MOBICOM 2009, Ultra-low-power Devices, Ultra-low-power Physical Layer, Ultra-low-power Wireless Communications