Wi-Fi is convenient! But isn't its power consumption a major issue?

Wi-Fi is a communication method that many IoT devices would like to use because it enables high-speed communication and direct connection to the cloud.
However, conventional Wi-Fi devices consume a large amount of power, posing a challenge to their application in battery-powered devices.
The amount of current consumed is not simply a matter of power; it has a significant impact on the overall operability and cost of the IoT system.

- High power consumption results in a short battery life.
- Due to its short battery life, frequent battery replacement is necessary.
• High maintenance costs due to battery replacement
- Installation locations are limited due to the need for maintenance.

Due to these issues, there are many cases where companies abandon the idea of adopting Wi-Fi.
In recent years, in particular, there has been a rapid increase in IoT devices that require constant connectivity, such as sensors and monitoring equipment, making it a major challenge to achieve both high communication performance and low power consumption.








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Why is there such a demand for low-power Wi-Fi now?

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and low-power radio (Tokusho Radio) have been widely adopted for wireless IoT devices. This is because they consume little current and are suitable for battery operation.
However, the requirements for IoT have changed significantly in recent years.
It's not just about "sending data,"

Connecting to the cloud
• Remote monitoring and remote control
• High-speed OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates
No gateway required

This has become a requirement. To meet these needs, many manufacturers are considering using Wi-Fi.

Applications that require low-power Wi-Fi

Smart home devices
Smart locks / Security and surveillance cameras / Smart blinds
Building Management
Environmental sensors / Air conditioning control / Access control
Industrial IoT
Equipment status monitoring / Anomaly detection sensors / Data loggers / Various detectors
Medical and healthcare
Home healthcare devices / Wearable devices

Learn practical power-saving designs to extend the battery life of Wi-Fi devices.

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