AMBIENT-6G

This use case focuses on reducing the hidden energy costs of smart home devices, which typically consume extra power for wireless communication and data processing—even when idle. For example, smart LED bulbs can consume around 0.4 W in standby mode, adding up to 3.5 kWh per year per bulb.

To address this, the use case proposes using RF backscatter communication, a technique where devices reflect and modulate existing radio signals (from an external RF source) to transmit data, instead of generating their own signals. This allows battery-free, ultra-low-power sensors to monitor ambient conditions like temperature, light, and air quality. These sensors send small, infrequent data packets to a central controller, which collects and processes the information.

The result is a more energy-efficient smart home network that maintains functionality while significantly lowering power consumption and hardware complexity.