Advances in Energy Harvesting for Sustainable Wireless Sensor Networks: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Energy harvesting wireless sensor networks (EH-WSNs) appear as the fundamental backbone of research that attempts to expand the lifespan and efficiency of sensor networks positioned in resource-constrained environments. This review paper provides an in-depth examination of latest developments in this area, highlighting the important components comprising routing protocols, energy management plans, cognitive radio applications, physical layer security (PLS), and EH approaches. Across a well-ordered investigation of these features, this article clarifies the notable developments in technology, highlights recent barriers, and inquires avenues for future revolution. This article starts by furnishing a detailed analysis of different energy harvesting methodologies, incorporating solar, thermal, kinetic, and radio frequency (RF) energy, and their respective efficacy in non-identical operational circumstances. It also inspects state-of-the-art energy management techniques aimed at optimizing energy consumption and storage to guarantee network operability. Moreover, the integration of cognitive radio into EH-WSNs is acutely assessed, highlighting its capacity to improve spectrum efficiency and tackle associated technological problems. The present work investigates ground-breaking methodologies in PLS that uses energy-harvesting measures to improve the data security. In this review article, these techniques are explored with respect to classical encryption and discussed from network security points of view as well.The assessment furthers criticizes traditional routing protocols and their significance in EH-WSNs as well as the balance that has long been sought between energy efficiency and security in this space. This paper closes with the importance of continuous research to tackle existing challenges and to leverage newly available means as highlighted in this document. In order to adequately serve the increasingly changing requirements of EH-WSNs, future research will and should be geared towards incorporating AI techniques with some advanced energy storage solutions. This paper discusses the integration of novel methodologies and interdisciplinary advancements for better performance, security, and sustainability for WSNs.