What is the Internet of Things? A Power Perspective

The Internet of Things (IoT) can mean a lot of things. To some, it means Bluetooth^® low energy (BLE) compatible devices, enabling smartphones to communicate and even control any modern, electronic device in sight. To others, the IoT implies ubiquitous sensors deployed on everything from high-value assets for tracking to conditional monitoring on equipment for preventative maintenance (better known as the Industrial IoT or IIoT) to medical wearables/implantables, sending data to the cloud for massive processing and generation of data analytics.

The incredible amount of data analytics and the industries built around them are what is implied by the famous 2006 quote from British mathematician Clive Humby [1], who remarked, “Data is the new oil.” Perhaps, for many, the IoT means just adding "smart" moniker to everything, from toasters to window shades, even if it is not clear exactly what that means for the tech of today and tomorrow.

IoT consists of battery-powered and low power IoT systems, particularly in untethered applications such as remote monitoring, electric/autonomous vehicles (EV/AVs), aerospace/MIL applications, and other ground-based large transportation (i.e., railway). From a power standpoint, it involves wireless sensor networks (WSNs) deployed in hard-to-reach environments, such as deep oil wells, turbine blades, or embedded structures.

Beyond improving telemetry, control, and preventive maintenance, IoT must balance low power consumption with efficient power solutions. Many IoT devices rely on primary (non-rechargeable) batteries, posing sustainability challenges. With billions of IoT devices expected, disposing of millions of batteries daily could lead to environmental waste and high maintenance costs. To address this, rechargeable batteries, capacitors, and energy harvesting are gaining traction. This power optimization strategy defines the Power IoT ecosystem, merging energy storage, low-power design, and energy-efficient communication.

Maximizing IoT battery life requires optimizing power sources and reducing system power consumption. While engineers often focus on boosting power supply efficiency, reducing system load through intelligent power management (IPM) is equally critical. Moore’s Law predicts power reduction at a faster rate than battery capacity improvements. Integrated circuits (ICs) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors have halved power consumption every two years, while battery energy density has only doubled every decade.


Optimizing power often starts by minimizing unnecessary power usage. The most energy-efficient state is ‘off’, so effective IPM strategies focus on minimizing active power states, ensuring devices consume power only when necessary.

For power supply designers, energy efficiency is a primary goal, but in certain applications, continuous power availability is more critical than efficiency. industrial automation, medical devices, and embedded WSNs often prioritize reliable energy delivery over efficiency.

Wireless power transfer (WPT) gains interest for consumer convenience and critical applications. However, it is often mistakenly categorized as energy harvesting modalities. Unlike true energy harvesting, WPT relies on directed energy transfer, often resulting in higher inefficiencies. For instance, WPT in consumer applications often sacrifices efficiency for convenience, whereas in medical implants or embedded sensors, WPT provides essential power where wired solutions are impractical.

Even low-power IoT device may require high isolation if connected to high-voltage industrial equipment. IIoT applications often involve three-phase voltage systems, demanding wide input voltage ranges, high isolation (kV-rated), and safety protections such as:

• Overvoltage protection (OVP)
• Overcurrent protection (OCP)
• Overtemperature protection (OTP)

These requirements ensure reliable power solutions and protect against electrical hazards, especially in medical devices and medical-imaging applications.

IoT presents both environmental benefits and challenges. On one hand, IoT reduces energy consumption through predictive maintenance and efficiency monitoring. However, mass adoption of IoT devices increases hazardous waste from disposable batteries and consumption of rare-earth materials.

The ideal IoT power solution integrates energy harvesting, enabling self-sustaining, maintenance-free deployments. These forever systems eliminate battery replacements, reducing waste and extending operational lifespans. Future discussions will explore embodied energy and lifecycle analysis, evaluating the true carbon footprint of IoT devices from raw material extraction to disposal.

[1] Wikipedia contributors, "Clive Humby," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clive_Humby&oldid=1067348557 (accessed April 15, 2022).