Zero-Power devices can harvest ambient radio signals broadcast from sources such as TV towers, FM radio towers, cellular base stations, and WiFi access points (APs) as their source of power. After harvesting the energy from existing radio waves, the device can modulate ambient radio signals with its own information and transmit these signals outwards in a process known as backscattering communication. When designing Zero-Power Communication networks, it is necessary to consider the coexistence of Zero-Power communication systems and existing 4G/5G systems apart from unlicensed and licensed bands…
In the near future, IoT devices will be able to harvest energy directly from Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellphone signals, resulting in excellent features such as smaller size, better durability, and lower cost. Electronic tags are applied to locate the items without replacing or recharging the tag battery.
The Zero-Power Tag exhibited was in the form of a prototype plastic rectangle with the chip inside, but Oppo told us that it may actually come in the form of a sticker that can be applied anywhere. As one not-so-futuristic use case scenario the tracker could be applied to “endangered birds” to keep tabs (or, rather, tags) on their migratory habits at all times.
