A Comparative Study of Wi-Fi Technologies in Wireless Sensor Networks
Mui Duc Nguyen, Lexter D. A. Tizon, Ngoan T. Le, Dung T. Nguyen, Thang Chien Vu, Tao V. Nguyen, Long Q. Dinh, Quang Vĩnh Trần, Minh Tuấn Nguyễn · Computer Networks and Communications · 2025
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become a fundamental part in various Internet of Things (IoT) applications, such as smart cities, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring. This paper focuses on utilizing Wi-Fi technology within WSNs due to its high data rates and widespread infrastructure, which are essential for real-time monitoring and control applications. We conduct a comparative analysis of popular wireless communication technologies, including ZigBee, Bluetooth, and LoRa, and identify Wi-Fi as a suitable option for scenarios requiring extensive data transmission. The system design involves using ESP32 microcontrollers as sensor nodes to collect and transmit data wirelessly to a central gateway. Performance evaluation demonstrates the reliability and efficiency of the Wi-Fi-based WSN, with notable improvements in data transmission reliability, reduced power consumption using Wi-Fi 6's Target Wake Time (TWT) feature, and low-latency performance suitable for real-time applications. Despite the challenges posed by high power consumption and susceptibility to interference, hybrid solutions combining Wi-Fi with other low-power technologies like ZigBee or LoRa are suggested to enhance energy efficiency and coverage. This study highlights Wi-Fi's potential in WSNs and its applicability to a wide range of IoT implementations.