Secure and Energy-efficient Communication Protocol for Wake-up Radio

Abstract

This research addresses the critical challenge of power efficiency and security in IoT nodes deployed in areas with limited power access. Wake-up radio (WuR) technology is implemented to extend battery life by keeping devices in low-power mode until specific activation signals are received. The study focuses on developing a secure, energy-efficient protocol that operates effectively in non-ideal or lossy communication channels, addressing a gap in previous research which primarily assumed ideal conditions. A token-based security protocol was designed to prevent unauthorized wake-ups that could drain battery power. Theoretical analysis compared power consumption between traditional and proposed protocols across varying node counts and wake-up intervals. Physical implementation validated the protocol's functionality using ESP32 microcontrollers and RF125 modules, with custom-designed 7.2 mH antennas operating at 125 kHz. Experimental results demonstrated significant energy savings in WuR-enabled networks compared to traditional IoT networks, particularly over extended wake-up intervals. The implementation featured real-time power measurement through sensor circuits, with data visualization via a web application. Results confirmed the protocol's effectiveness in maintaining security while achieving superior energy efficiency, making it particularly suitable for applications like remote sensor data collection in power-limited environments.