The present study presents a comprehensive evaluation of wireless sensor node platforms based on microcontroller units (MCUs) from recently published research articles. Despite extensive study in the rapidly evolving domain of wireless sensor devices, energy consumption continues to pose an issue that restricts the longevity of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The Internet of Things (IoT) technology employs Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to deliver an effective sensing and communication framework. Therefore, comparing the current wireless sensor nodes is essential. The latest advancements in MCU-based wireless sensor node platforms are noteworthy, since they have become diversified and significantly more sophisticated compared to existing commercial WSN systems. Recent wireless sensor nodes are evaluated against commercially available motes. The commercially accessible motes are chosen based on many criteria, including popularity, reported outcomes, and notable traits and features. It is essential to comprehend the developmental trajectory of these gadgets and technologies to guide research and application paths. The comparison primarily focusses on processing and memory characteristics, communication capabilities, power supply and consumption, sensor support, prospective applications, node programming, and hardware security. This work aims to delineate the advancements in the design of autonomous wireless sensor nodes to prevent redundancy in research conducted by industry and academia. This document aims to aid developers of wireless sensor nodes in creating enhanced designs that surpass current motes. This study will assist researchers and prospective users in selecting the most suitable mote for their individual application scenarios. A discourse on wireless sensor node platforms is presented, together with an enumeration of difficulties and prospective research avenues.

Internet-of-Things (IoT); wireless sensor networks; sensor node; microcontroller unit (MCU); power consumption