Grant: Idea to Innovation

Driven by a new generation of wireless technology, the applications of the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) pervade all aspect of our lives. IoT devices are required to be scalable, flexible, multi-purpose, and energy autonomous.*IoT devices involve wireless sensors that monitor physical or chemical changes in the environment. These sensing devices usually have a small processing unit, one or more sensors, a telecommunication subsystem, and a battery.*One of the main challenges of this type of wireless sensor is power consumption, which increases the maintenance costs of networks, especially with a large number of devices. Recently, we proposed new concepts for implementing zero-power wireless sensors, which will dramatically reduce power, component count, and cost. Our proposed method is based on multi-port structures that simplify the sensing system by eliminating the digitizer, processor, and the RF subsystem and integrating the sensor directly into the modulator and RF system. *In order to make living comfortable, reduce home bills, and reduce the home's carbon footprint, a large number of sensors are required to obtain accurate information about every corner of the building, analyze them, and respond immediately. With today's technologies, such sensors must be connected to power sources, either by cabling or batteries. Therefore, the overall cost of a sensor network including its installation and maintenance will be huge. The objective of the proposed program is to apply this technology to smart buildings and to develop commercially viable products.*The proposed technology has the potential to create many high-paid, high-tech jobs in the province of Alberta. This is critical as the province of Alberta attempts to diversify its economy so that it remains robust through fluctuations in the price of oil.*