Generation-Agnostic Zero-Energy Devices for Sustainable Connectivity, Sensing, and Localization

TL;DR

This paper introduces generation-agnostic zero-energy IoT devices that leverage ambient wireless signals for sustainable, battery-less connectivity, sensing, and localization across future network generations.

Contribution

It proposes a new class of backscatter IoT devices that are spectrum-agnostic, battery-less, and adaptable to multiple network generations, addressing sustainability challenges.

Findings

XG-ZEDs enable ultra-low-power communication and sensing.

They utilize ambient signals, reducing reliance on batteries.

Applications include sensing, localization, and radio-SLAM.

Abstract

The massive scale of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity expected in 6G networks raises unprecedented challenges in energy use, battery waste, and lifecycle sustainability. Current cellular IoT solutions remain bound to the lifetime of underlying network generations and rely on billions of disposable batteries, creating unsustainable economic and environmental costs. This article proposes generation-agnostic zero-energy devices (XG-ZEDs), a new class of backscatter based IoT devices that are battery-less, spectrum-agnostic, and future-proof across successive network generations. XG-ZEDs exploit existing ambient wireless signals for communication, sensing, and localization, transforming infrastructure and user devices into universal enablers of ultra-low-power connectivity. We review architectural classifications, communication protocols, network integration, and representative applications such as sensing, localization, and radio-SLAM, while outlining the challenges ahead.