Power

Sensors are relatively simple devices from a functional point of view but are required to do their job for an extended period powered by a battery. Sensors in some applications may be close to a power supply or may be embedded in machines from which they can draw power. But in many applications, sensors are located remotely, with no access to a power supply even to recharge their batteries. With a large number of sensors spread over a large area in many solutions, it is not even practical to change batteries frequently and consistently.

Sensors capture data and transmit the data over wired or wireless networks to a processor. Both these functions of the sensor need to be designed in a manner that the power consumption is very low. Hence the development of new data communication technologies such as Low Power WAN.