Wireless IoT Energy Sharing Platform (2201.11275v1)

Abstract: Wireless energy sharing is a novel convenient alternative to charge IoT devices. In this demo paper, we present a peer-to-peer wireless energy sharing platform. The platform enables users to exchange energy wirelessly with nearby IoT devices. The energy sharing platform allows IoT users to send and receive energy wirelessly. The platform consists of (i) a mobile application that monitors and synchronizes the energy transfer among two IoT devices and (ii) and a backend to register energy providers and consumers and store their energy transfer transactions. The eveloped framework allows the collection of a real wireless energy sharing dataset. A set of preliminary experiments has been conducted on the collected dataset to analyze and demonstrate the behavior of the current wireless energy sharing technology.

• The paper presents an innovative Energy-as-a-Service model enabling IoT devices to both share and receive energy wirelessly.
• It introduces a mobile application that synchronizes energy transfers via Bluetooth, logging data for efficient energy management.
• Preliminary experiments validate the prototype’s performance by highlighting energy loss factors and suggesting directions for optimization.

Wireless IoT Energy Sharing Platform: An Overview

The paper "Wireless IoT Energy Sharing Platform" by Jessica Yao, Amani Abusafia, Abdallah Lakhdari, and Athman Bouguettaya introduces a peer-to-peer wireless energy sharing platform for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The platform under paper offers a novel approach to energy distribution, alleviating the constraints of battery limitations in IoT environments. This is achieved through the concept of Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS), which facilitates the wireless delivery of energy from a provider IoT device to a consumer IoT device.

The architecture of this platform encompasses two main components: a mobile application for energy monitoring and synchronization, and a backend for managing energy providers and consumers. The framework allows for the collection and analysis of wireless energy sharing data, providing empirical insights into its performance and viability.

Key Features and Contributions

1. Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) Paradigm: The EaaS model is employed where IoT devices can serve as both energy providers and consumers. This is particularly advantageous in ad hoc environments like cafes and theaters, referred to as microcells, where spatial freedom is a priority.
2. Mobile Application Functionality: The platform includes a mobile app that facilitates communication between energy providers and consumers using Bluetooth technology. It ensures synchronization and logs data related to the energy transferred in each transaction.
3. Crowdsourcing for Energy Efficiency: By leveraging crowdsourcing, the system aims to not only enhance energy efficiency through the recycling of spare energy but also provide ubiquitous power access without the need for conventional charging infrastructure.
4. Prototype and Demonstration: The authors demonstrate the practical viability of their platform using the reverse wireless charging capabilities of smartphones. This prototype was further exhibited through preliminary experiments showcasing energy transfer behaviors over set timeframes.

Experimental Insights

The authors conducted experiments using a dataset generated by their platform. The results indicate significant factors impacting energy loss during transfer, emphasizing real-world application constraints and thus offering scope for further technical optimizations.

Implications and Future Directions

This research paves the way for new advancements in IoT energy management by offering a sustainable and flexible energy sharing method. While highlighting existing technological barriers and the need for standardization in wireless charging protocols, the paper suggests potential enhancements for supporting multiple concurrent energy requests. Future work could focus on the integration of advanced over-the-air wireless charging technologies and the development of algorithms for optimizing energy allocation among various IoT devices.

In conclusion, this paper presents a promising leap towards enabling energy-efficient IoT ecosystems through peer-to-peer energy sharing. It reveals critical insights into the current technological capacity and sets a foundation for future exploration within the domain of wireless IoT energy services. Researchers and technologists may utilize this framework to further explore EaaS implementations, potentially transforming how energy distribution is managed across pervasive computing environments.