International Journal of Electronic Devices and Networking
2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A
Design and implementation of ultra-low power Internet of Things (IoT) sensor nodes for smart cities
Author(s): Anna Müller, Hans Weber and Eva Schmidt
Abstract: The rapid evolution of smart cities demands energy-efficient sensing systems capable of delivering continuous, reliable data without frequent maintenance or battery replacement. This research focuses on the design and implementation of ultra-low power (ULP) Internet of Things (IoT) sensor sensor nodes tailored for smart city applications, integrating hardware-software co-design principles to minimize energy consumption while maintaining network reliability and sensing accuracy. The developed prototype employs an ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller with adaptive duty-cycling, dynamic clock scaling, and LoRaWAN-based long-range communication. A hybrid power system combining solar energy harvesting and supercapacitor storage was implemented to enhance energy autonomy. Experimental deployment across three urban sites over 30 days demonstrated a substantial reduction in average power consumption from 0.61 mW (baseline) to 0.09 mW (ULP), corresponding to an approximate 85% decrease. Node autonomy increased from about 95 days to over 650 days without harvesting and exceeded 1200 days with solar assistance. Network performance improved significantly, with packet delivery ratios rising above 97% and uplink latency reduced by nearly 26%. Statistical analyses confirmed that these improvements were both consistent and significant. Sensor accuracy for environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and particulate matter remained stable, verifying that ultra-low power operation did not compromise data quality. The study’s findings validate the hypothesis that integrated low-power design and renewable energy harvesting can achieve long-term, self-sustaining Internet of Things (IoT) deployments suitable for large-scale smart city infrastructures. The research concludes that the adoption of energy-harvesting Internet of Things (IoT) sensor nodes, efficient communication scheduling, and adaptive firmware strategies can substantially reduce operational costs and maintenance frequency. Practical recommendations are proposed for policymakers, urban developers, and technologists to adopt standardized frameworks promoting renewable-powered Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, thereby advancing sustainable, data-driven urban ecosystems.
DOI: 10.22271/27084477.2025.v6.i2a.85
Pages: 51-56 | Views: 213 | Downloads: 46
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How to cite this article:
Anna Müller, Hans Weber, Eva Schmidt. Design and implementation of ultra-low power Internet of Things (IoT) sensor nodes for smart cities. Int J Electron Devices Networking 2025;6(2):51-56. DOI: 10.22271/27084477.2025.v6.i2a.85
