An ns-3 simulation model for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer in Wi-Fi networks

What is it about?

We introduce an original module for the ns-3 simulator that allows simulations of Wi-Fi networks enabled with the technology of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). Based on this technology, a device can harvest energy from received information-bearing radiofrequency signals. The paper introduces the key characteristics of the simulation model, including its architecture and key parameters. Additionally, we showcase its application to the study of energy sustainability in Wi-Fi HaLow networks, a version of Wi-Fi that focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) deployments.

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Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash

Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The number of connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices worldwide is estimated to increase from 17.08 billion in 2024 to 29.4 billion in 2030 and, considering that most IoT devices use batteries to operate, such explosive growth raises many concerns about its environmental impact. Considering that a significant portion of IoT devices use Wi-Fi technology to communicate, the design of sustainable Wi-Fi networks has become a topic of growing research interest. To help accomplish that, the emerging technology of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) has become a key enabler to achieve energy sustainability, since it allows devices to harvest energy from received information-bearing radiofrequency signals. Hence, our SWIPT model for the ns-3 simulator allows researchers to investigate creative ways to deploy SWIPT in battery-free Wi-Fi networks, as well as evaluate their performance and feasibility.

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