Powering sensors and edge devices reveal a significant problem. When we consider that sensors and edge devices number in the billions, and the fact they will be used in very remote areas, power becomes a challenge. Furthermore, there will be IoT deployments where sensors will be buried undersea, or embedded into concrete infrastructures, further complicating power sources. In this section, we will explore the concepts of energy harvesting and power management. Both are very important concepts in the overall IoT story.
Managing power is a very broad topic, and spans software and hardware. It is important to understand the role of power management in a successful IoT deployment, and how to manage power efficiently for remote devices and long-lived devices. The architect must build a power budget for the edge device, which includes:
- Active sensor power
- Frequency of data collection
- Wireless radio communication strength and power
- Frequency of communication...