What is energy harvesting?

Energy harvesting is one of the power management techniques. The concept of this technique revolves around extracting unused and wasted power from the ambient energy sources surrounding a device.

What are the types of harvesting energy?

● Thermal energy. Temperature differential is a source of electric potential that can be captured by thermoelectric materials used in many IoT devices./n● Solar energy. The IoT devices exposed to sunlight can benefit from this energy source enormously. One of the advantages of this technology is high-energy density./n● Wind and aeroelastics vibrations. This alternative energy source is gaining more attention due to global climate change. This is especially beneficial in the context of agricultural monitoring./n● Mechanical vibrations. This ambient source is commonly converted into usable electrical energy and can work in favor of piezoelectric materials. Powering of sensors for damage detection in machinery is a common application of this energy harvesting technology.

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Wireless sensor platform

Prylada WASP - Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Platform

Q: How does energy harvesting work?

Energy harvesting of the Prylada wireless sensor platform means that the platform consumes very little power and can work from different energy sources, such as vibration, solar panels, or heating.

Designed to collect and transfer data from controlled assets to a host/gateway via Sub-1 GHz channel. The platform can be powered from ambient energy sources and consumes little power.

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How the sensor platform works

The platform allows connecting various sensors on board, or sensors can be connected externally through analog inputs or I2C interface. Data collected from the sensors is then transferred to a Prylada gateway or any third-party host/gateway via Sub-1GHz Wi-SUN® network.

Functionality of the two main platform parts

Core

The core’s function is to provide RF communication with a host/gateway and to process information from the sensors. The core is also responsible for energy harvesting from light, heat, vibration, RF, or electromagnetic waves.

Shield

The shield is just a carrier for different types of sensors that can be connected to the core.

Intelligent hardware - Adaptive mode switching

The core feature of the Prylada WASP Gateway is enabling real-time, autonomous measurement adjustments directly at the hardware level. Unlike software-based control, this mechanism instantly responds to predefined conditions, ensuring minimal latency, optimized power consumption, and efficient asset monitoring.

Functionality

The gateway dynamically adjusts sensor measurement frequency based on predefined asset conditions using a hardware-triggered switching mechanism:

Energy-saving mode (Static mode)

Performs low-frequency measurements when conditions are stable, minimizing power usage and reducing data load.

Active monitoring mode (Dynamic mode)

When a predefined threshold is met, the system immediately increases measurement frequency for real-time data collection.

By processing triggers at the hardware level, the gateway eliminates delays associated with software-based logic, ensuring an instant transition between modes.

Why it matters

Extends battery life with energy-efficient operation

Reduces data load while ensuring critical event detection

Enables smarter asset control with real-time responsiveness

Wireless communication: no extra cables to manage and secure data transfer

Wireless communication with adaptive data transmission

Integration with building management systems (BMS)

Compatible with energy harvesting (solar, vibration, heat) for continuous operation

Example Applications

When dynamic mode switches

Noise monitoring

Activates high-frequency measurements when noise levels exceed threshold values.

Liquid level monitoring:

Switches to the dynamic mode when the fluid level surpasses e.g. 70%.

Rail vibration monitoring

Engages dynamic mode when a train passes over the tracks.

Snow load monitoring

Increases measurement frequency when snow accumulation reaches critical weight.

Black ice detection

Triggers high-frequency monitoring when road surface temperature and humidity indicate ice formation.

Once the condition is no longer met, the system returns to low-frequency mode automatically.This hardware-driven adaptive monitoring makes Prylada WASP Gateway highly efficient for industrial, environmental, and infrastructure applications that require real-time, event-triggered data collection.

Prylada ecosystem

Platform
ecosystem
scenarios

As part of Prylada network

The platform can work within the Prylada networks through LTE or Ethernet Prylada gateways. Once the platform is connected to one of the routers, it gets visible in the Prylada server, cloud-based or on-premises. Using the server, you can configure and update the platform remotely.

As part of third-party network

You can use the platform within third-party networks. In this case, the firmware adjustments are discussed individually.

Platform ecosystem scenarios

As part of Prylada network
The platform can work within the Prylada networks through LTE or Ethernet Prylada gateways. Once the platform is connected to one of the routers, it gets visible in the Prylada server, cloud-based or on-premises. Using the server, you can configure and update the platform remotely.
As part of third-party network
You can use the platform within third party networks. In this case, the firmware adjustments are discussed individually.

Available connectivity

Sub-1GHz RF module

Wi-SUN protocol support

Serial interface module

I2C RS232 RS485 SDI12

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Competitive advantages of Prylada WASP

The main advantage of the platform is that it lets almost any sensor go truly wireless. In turn, wireless data collection from your critical assets will greatly simplify the monitoring process, reduce the number of cables in your facilities, and ensure real-time alarm management in case of emergency.

Various sensors supported

Wireless Sub-1GHz RF communication

Low-power consumption

Powering from ambient energy sources

Energy harvesting in use*

Energy harvesting means that the platform consumes very little power and can work from different ambient energy sources, such as vibration, solar panels, or heating. The feature is especially important for industrial use. Permanent monitoring of equipment condition at production facilities requires constant operation of sensors and other devices included in the monitoring system. In such circumstances, energy saving practices play an essential role for reducing total production and maintenance costs. Energy harvesting helps the Prylada WASP maximize its battery lifetime and ensure an uninterrupted monitoring process.

Powering the sensor platform from different ambient energy sources

How energy harvesting works with different energy sources

In this case, the sensor system gathers solar energy and stores it in a supercapacitor or a Li-ion battery.
As soon as the power management unit (PMU) considers the energy level sufficient, it powers up the microcontroller unit (MCU), which in turn, according to the algorithm, powers up other system’s parts, gathers data from the piggyback module sensors, sets up output signals if necessary, sends processed sensors’ data to the router, and either continues gathering data from sensor or enters deep power down mode waiting for external or internal events to wake up.
The internal backup battery is required to pass cold startup PMU stage when the solar cell provides low voltage.

Powering the sensor platform from a solar panel

In this case, the sensor platform gathers thermal energy and stores it in a supercapacitor or a Li-ion battery. The external battery or some alternative power source serves as a backup energy source.
As soon as the PMU considers the energy level sufficient, it powers up the MCU, which in turn, according to the algorithm, powers up other system’s parts, gathers data from the piggyback module sensors, sets up output signals if necessary, sends processed sensors’ data to the router, and either continues gathering data from sensor or enters deep power down mode waiting for external or internal events to wake up. The internal backup battery is required to pass cold startup PMU stage when the solar cell provides low voltage.

Powering the sensor platform from a thermoelectric generator

In this case, the sensor platform powers from an AC energy source, for instance a vibration transducer.
The energy can be stored in a supercapacitor or a li-ion battery. External sensors are connected in two different ways: I2C interface and through piggyback board converters, if necessary.
External sensors on the I2C bus or the ones connected to the piggybacksensor module can be powered from the 3.3V TWIST power supply. It is uC controllable.

Powering the sensor platform from a vibration transducer

Application

The Prylada WASP can be used to automate control of physical infrastructure at various manufacturing facilities and laboratories. By transferring data from sensors/devices to a remote control center in real-time, you can get a complete picture of the current operations and observe the condition of your equipment.
The use of the sensor platform for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance can help ensure high uptime of your critical assets and avoid unplanned shutdowns of the production lines.

Four key parameters for choosing WASP for optimal performance

Criteria

Usage

Power availability

WASP Sensors and Gateway are recommended for locations with stable access to power, ensuring reliable operation of all components.

Data transmission method

Given their wireless nature, WASP Sensors and Gateways are suitable for environments with established data transmission infrastructure (e.g., Wi-Fi and Ethernet). The WASP Gateway serves as a central hub for data collection and transmission.

Distance to monitoring points

WASP Sensors and Gateway are most effective for closely located or centralized monitoring points where direct communication between sensors and the gateway is feasible.

Number of monitoring points

WASP Sensors and Gateway efficiently handles dense clusters of monitoring points, enabling centralized data collection and processing.

All things considered, the Prylada WASP is a strong choice for scenarios requiring high-density monitoring within a range of tens to hundreds of meters or in tunnel environments where network coverage is limited. For centralized facilities with robust power and data infrastructure, a WASP Gateway combined with WASP Sensors ensures smooth integration and precise control.