A Review on Wireless Communication Technologies for Agriculture

Smart agriculture systems based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology play a crucial role in maximizing the efficiency of land, water, and energy resource utilization. Due to the expansive nature of agricultural fields, wireless communication protocols are crucial for connecting system components placed at distant locations. This review paper aims to underscore the importance of selecting suitable wireless communication protocols for smart agriculture applications, considering their features and application-specific requirements. The paper compares and analyzes commonly used wireless communication protocols in IoT applications. Technical properties and practical applications of these protocols are examined, while addressing inconsistencies reported in different resources. By comparing technical properties, examining practical applications, and addressing concerns related to cost and communication quality, this review facilitates informed decision-making for selecting the most appropriate protocol. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of trending technologies and identifies the LoRaWAN protocol and ZigBee as a leading choice for smart agriculture applications based on recent publications.