Performance and Simulation-Based Comparison of IoT Access Control Systems Using ESP32, Arduino Uno, and Raspberry Pi Pico W

Abstract

This article presents the development and comparative analysis of automated Internet of Things (IoT)-based access control systems across various microcontroller platforms. The study aims to compare the performance, reliability, and energy efficiency of the ESP32, Arduino Uno, and Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller platforms for use in automated IoT-based access control systems. To achieve this goal, three alternative implementations of the access control system were developed, and a series of experiments were conducted using simulation modelling in the Wokwi environment, supplemented by analytical modelling. The results showed that the ESP32 achieved the best performance, with a response time of 287 milliseconds, a network delivery reliability of 98.7%, and an overall system reliability of 97.3%, which aligns with indicative thresholds for high-reliability IoT security applications under the simulation conditions used. The Raspberry Pi Pico W platform demonstrated the highest energy efficiency at 180 mW, while Arduino Uno, due to its 94.2% network delivery reliability, an overall system reliability of 88.6%, and lower speed, is suitable only for educational purposes. It is concluded that the ESP32 is suitable for high-performance systems, and the Raspberry Pi Pico W for autonomous solutions. Promising directions for further research are identified, includ ing the integration of biometric sensors and machine learning for detecting abnormal access attempts.