A Comprehensive Investigation of ESP32 in Enhancing Wi-Fi Range and Traffic Control for Defence Networks

Abstract

The study examines ESP32-based static and dynamic load-balancing algorithms to enhance defence networks’ Wi-Fi range and traffic control. This study is essential due to the growing need for dependable and efficient wireless communication in defence operations, where maintaining network stability and performance is necessary. Real-time Wi-Fi scanning assessed the performance of these algorithms, covering response time, throughput, network latency, jitter, and packet loss. The static algorithm demonstrated a 5 % lower average response time and 3 % higher throughput than the dynamic algorithm, leading to significant improvements in jitter (from 1.01 ms to 0.80 ms) and packet loss rate (from 1.50 % to 0.88 %). On the other hand, dynamic load balancing reduced Access Points (APs) overload by 20 % during peak periods, enhancing network stability and resource utilisation, which is crucial for defence operations. These findings underscore the impact of ESP32-based load balancing, presenting a practical solution to optimise defense network performance by improving throughput scalability and Access Point (AP) resource efficiency. The study provides essential insights into managing signal variability, congestion, and disruptions, offering valuable guidance for defence and security professionals in optimising wireless network infrastructure.