The Operational States and Energy Utilization of the Arduino Nano and Arduino Micro in 5G Networks

Background: The fast growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) in Fifth-Generation (5G) networks has emphasised the need to examine energy efficiency thoroughly. Ensuring the sustainable implementation of IoT devices in these sophisticated networks is paramount. Objective: The article seeks to experimentally examine the disparities in energy use between two commonly utilised microcontroller platforms, namely the Arduino Nano and Arduino Micro when included in 5G network settings. Methodology: The power consumption of the Arduino Nano and Arduino Micro was evaluated by connecting them to 5G connectivity modules. The assessment centered on three operating states: data acquisition, transfer, and idle. Power measurements were performed using calibrated instruments in a controlled experimental environment to achieve precise and consistent results. Results: The findings indicated that the Arduino Micro, while carrying out comparable computing and data transmission operations in a 5G setting, spent around 8% less power than the Arduino Nano. The difference in energy consumption may be primarily due to the Arduino Micro's superior voltage control technologies and optimized low-power components. In contrast, the Arduino Nano demonstrated reduced power consumption in standby mode, indicating an intricate and non-linear correlation between operational states and power utilisation. Conclusion: The results of this study provide vital information for choosing microcontroller platforms for 5G IoT applications. The Arduino Micro is a more energy-efficient option for jobs requiring constant data processing and transmission. On the other hand, the Arduino Nano is better suited for situations where there is intermittent network access. The article contributes substantially to the current discussion on improving energy efficiency in Internet of Things (IoT) devices for 5G networks.