There’s No One-Size-Fits-All in IoT
In the design of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the key question is no longer “Which technology is best?” but rather “Which combination of technologies best addresses the specific constraints of the application?”
At Kliskatek, we’ve found that hybrid architectures—those that integrate multiple communication protocols and energy strategies—are essential for building scalable, resilient, and energy-autonomous systems.
Just as telecom operators leverage fiber, 5G, and satellite to meet diverse connectivity needs, IoT solutions benefit from a multi-technology approach that adapts to real-world variability.
The Limitations of Single-Technology Designs
Consider a scenario where Zigbee is used to monitor an industrial process. While Zigbee offers low power consumption, mesh networking, and broad support, it may still fall short in applications requiring continuous operation without battery replacement.
Now, imagine integrating a batteryless RFID relay into the system. The Zigbee node remains in deep sleep until an RFID-enabled AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) passes by and triggers activation. This event-driven architecture significantly reduces energy consumption—and in some cases, eliminates the need for a battery altogether.
This is the essence of hybrid design:
- Zigbee for data communication
- RFID for context-aware activation
- RF energy harvesting to power the node
The 2025 Toolbox: Evolving Technologies for Smarter Systems
The IoT landscape continues to evolve rapidly. At Kliskatek, we now combine a range of technologies to meet the demands of modern WSNs:
- LoRaWAN/Mioty – Long-range, low-power communication for distributed deployments
- UWB (Ultra-Wideband) – High-precision localization for asset tracking and automation
- BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) – Efficient short-range communication with enhanced mesh support
- RF energy harvesting – Powering devices from ambient sub-GHz radio waves
- Ambient IoT – Embedding intelligence into everyday objects with zero-maintenance operation
Each technology brings unique strengths. None is sufficient alone. But when orchestrated together, they enable context-aware, energy-efficient, and maintenance-free systems.
Designing for the Application, Not the Protocol
Whether the goal is to track pallets in a warehouse, monitor soil moisture in a vineyard, or optimize energy usage in a smart building, the optimal solution is rarely based on a single protocol. Instead, it requires a tailored system architecture that balances:
- 📡 Communication range and bandwidth
- 🔋 Power availability and autonomy
- 🌐 Network topology and node density
- 🧠 Edge intelligence vs. cloud processing
At Kliskatek, we design systems that combine the best of each technology, always with a focus on sustainability, reliability, and simplicity.
Take away
The future of IoT lies not in choosing a single technology, but in orchestrating multiple technologies to work in harmony. Hybrid architectures allow us to build wireless sensor networks that are smarter, more energy-efficient, and more adaptable to real-world constraints.
By embracing this approach, we move closer to a future where batteryless, maintenance-free sensing becomes the norm—not the exception.