Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept that envisions a world where physical
objects, embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies, are
interconnected through the internet.
The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a significant evolution in technology,
where everyday objects are connected to the internet, enabling them to
collect, exchange, and act on data.
This connectivity creates a network of "smart" devices that can interact with
each other and with centralized systems, enhancing their functionality and
providing new opportunities for automation and efficiency.
These objects, often referred to as "smart" devices, can range from simple
household items like light bulbs and thermostats to complex industrial
machinery and wearable health monitors.
Things," in the IoT sense, can refer to a wide variety of devices such as heart
monitoring implants, biochip transponders on farm animals, electric clams in
coastal waters, automobiles with built-in sensors, DNA analysis devices for
environmental/food/pathogen monitoring or field operation devices that assist
fire-fighters in search and rescue operationskitchen appliances, cars,
thermostats, baby monitors kitchen appliances, cars, thermostats and baby
IoT ecosystem
 Definition of Internet of Things (IoT):

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of physical

objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other
technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other
devices and systems over the internet.

Key Components of IoT

Sensors and Actuators: These devices collect data from their environment and
perform actions based on the data received. Sensors measure parameters such as
temperature, humidity, motion, and light
Connectivity: IoT devices use various communication technologies, including
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and cellular networks, to connect and exchange data.
Data Processing: Collected data is often transmitted to cloud-based or edge
computing systems, where it is processed and analyzed. This processing can
involve simple rule-based actions or complex machine learning algorithms.
User Interface: IoT devices often come with user interfaces, such as mobile apps
or web dashboards, allowing users to monitor and control the devices. These
interfaces provide insights into device status and environmental conditions.
 Characteristics of IoT:

Connectivity: IoT devices are connected to the internet, allowing them to

communicate with each other and with centralized servers. This connectivity is
fundamental to the IoT ecosystem, enabling data exchange and remote control.
Interactivity: IoT devices can interact with each other and with users. They can
receive commands, send status updates, and even act autonomously based on
predefined rules and real-time data.
Data Collection: IoT devices are equipped with sensors that collect data from
their environment. This data can include temperature, humidity, motion, light,
and other environmental factors, as well as usage data and device status.
Intelligence: IoT systems often incorporate data analytics and machine learning
algorithms to process the data collected by devices. This intelligence allows for
predictive maintenance, automation, and optimization of processes.
Scalability: IoT systems are designed to scale up, accommodating a growing number of
devices and increasing amounts of data. Scalability is crucial for expanding IoT
networks in both consumer and industrial applications.
Heterogeneity: IoT encompasses a wide variety of devices with different capabilities,
protocols, and standards. Effective IoT systems can integrate and manage this diversity,
ensuring seamless communication and interoperability.
Real-Time Operation: Many IoT applications require real-time or near-real-time data
processing and response. This is especially important in scenarios like health
monitoring, industrial automation, and smart city management.
Security: With the proliferation of connected devices, security is a critical concern in
IoT. Ensuring data integrity, privacy, and protection against unauthorized access and
cyber attacks is essential for the reliable operation of IoT systems.
Energy Efficiency: Many IoT devices are designed to be energy-efficient, often running
on battery power. Efficient energy use extends the operational life of devices and
reduces the need for frequent maintenance.
User Interaction: IoT devices often include user interfaces or integrate with mobile
apps and other platforms, allowing users to interact with and control the devices easily.
Automation: IoT enables automation of routine tasks, reducing the need for human intervention. This is
achieved through smart algorithms and predefined rules that allow devices to operate independently.
 Physical design of IoT

A physical design of an IoT system refers to the individual node devices and
their protocols that are utilized to create a functional IoT ecosystem.
Each node device can perform tasks such as remote sensing, actuating, monitoring,
etc., by relying on physically connected devices.
The things/devices in the IoT system are used for:
•Building connections
•Data processing
•Providing storage
•Providing interfaces
•Providing graphical
interfaces
Connectivity: Devices like USB hosts and ETHERNET are used for connectivity
between the devices and the server.
Processor: A processor like a CPU and other units are used to process the data.
these data are further used to improve the decision quality of an IoT system.
Audio/Video Interfaces: An interface like HDMI and RCA devices is used to
record audio and videos in a system.
Input/Output interface: To give input and output signals to sensors, and
actuators we use things like UART, SPI, CAN, etc.
Storage Interfaces: Things like SD, MMC, and SDIO are used to store the data
generated from an IoT device.
Controlling of activity: Devices like DDR(Double Data Rate (DDR) is a type of memory technology
used in computers and other electronic devices to increase performance ) and GPU(A graphics processing unit
) control the activity of an IoT system.
 Protocols

These protocols are used to establish communication between a node

device and a server over the internet. it helps to send commands to an IoT
device and receive data from an IoT device over the internet.
Different types of protocols that are present on both the server and client
side and these protocols are managed by network layers like application,
transport, network, and link layer.
 Protocols

Application Layer protocol

In this layer, protocols define how the data can be sent over the network with the
lower layer protocols using the application interface.
HTTP
Hypertext transfer protocol is a protocol that presents in an application layer for
transmitting media documents. it is used to communicate between web browsers and
servers.
WebSocket
This protocol enables two-way communication between a client and a host that can
be run on an untrusted code in a controlled environment.
MQTT
It is a machine-to-machine connectivity protocol that was designed as a
publish/subscribe messaging transport. and it is used for remote locations where a
small code footprint is required.

Transport Layer
This layer is used to control the flow of data segments and handle error control. also,
these layer protocols provide end-to-end message transfer capability independent of
the underlying network.
TCP
The transmission control protocol is a protocol that defines how to establish and
maintain a network that can exchange data in a proper manner using the internet
protocol.
UDP
a user datagram protocol is a part of an internet protocol called the
connectionless protocol. this protocol is not required to establish the connection
to transfer data.
Network Layer
This layer is used to send datagrams from the source network to the destination
network. we use IPv4 and IPv6 protocols as host identification that transfers data
in packets.
IPv4
This is a protocol address that is a unique and numerical label assigned to each
device connected to the network. an IP address performs two main functions
host and location addressing. IPv4 is an IP address that is 32-bit long.
IPv6
It is a successor of IPv4 that uses 128 bits for an IP address. it is developed by the
IETF task force to deal with long-anticipated problems.
Link Layer
Link-layer protocols are used to send data over the network’s physical
layer. it also determines how the packets are coded and signaled by
the devices.

Ethernet
It is a set of technologies and protocols that are used primarily in
LANs. it defines the physical layer and the medium access control for
wired ethernet networks.
WiFi
It is a set of LAN protocols and specifies the set of media access
control and physical layer protocols for implementing wireless local
area networks.
 Logical design of IoT

A logical design for an IoT system is the actual design of how its
components (computers, sensors, and actuators) should be arranged
to complete a particular function.

1. IoT functional blocks

An IoT system consists of a number

of functional blocks like Devices,
services, communication, security,
and application that provide the
capability for sensing, actuation,
identification, communication, and
management.
Logical design of IoT

These functional blocks consist of devices that handle the communication

between the server and the host, enable monitoring control functions,
manage the data transfer, secure the IoT system using authentication and
different functions, and provide an interface for controlling and monitoring
various terms.

The Functional blocks are:

Device: An IoT system comprises of devices that provide sensing, actuation,
monitoring, and control functions.
Communication: Handles the communication for the IoT system.
Services: services for device monitoring, device control service, data publishing
services, and services for device discovery.
Management: this block provides various functions to govern the IoT system.
Security: This block secures the IoT system and by providing functions such as
authentication, authorization, message and content integrity, and data security.
Application: This is an interface that the users can use to control and monitor
various aspects of the IoT system. The application also allows users to view the
system status and view or analyze the processed data.
Logical design of IoT

IoT Communication Models

There are multiple kinds of models available in an Internet of Things system that
is used for communicating between the system and server, such as:
Request-Response Model
Request-Response Model

Request-response model is a communication model in which the client

sends requests to the server and the server responds to the requests.
When the server receives a request, it decides how to respond, fetches
the data, retrieves resource representation, prepares the response, and
then sends the response to the client.
Request-response is a stateless communication model and each
request-response pair is independent of the others.
 Publisher-Subscriber Model

This model comprises three entities: Publishers, Brokers, and Consumers.

Publishers are the source of data. It sends the data to the topic which is
managed by the broker. They are not aware of consumers.
Consumers subscribe to the topics which are managed by the broker.
Brokers' responsibility is to accept data from publishers and send it to the
appropriate consumers. The broker only has the information regarding the
consumer to which a particular topic belongs which the publisher is
unaware.
Publisher-Subscriber Model
 Push-Pull Model

The push-pull model constitutes data publishers, data consumers,

and data queues.
 Push-Pull Model

The push-pull model constitutes data publishers, data consumers, and data queues.
Publishers and consumers are not aware of each other.
Publishers publish the message/data and push it into the queue. The consumers,
present on the other side, pull the data out of the queue. Thus, the queue acts as the
buffer for the message when the difference occurs in the rate of push or pull of data on
the side of a publisher and consumer.
Queues help in decoupling the messaging between the producer and consumer.
Queues also act as a buffer which helps in situations where there is a mismatch
between the rate at which the producers push the data and consumers pull the data.
 Exclusive Pair

Exclusive Pair is the bi-directional model, including full-duplex

communication between client and server. The connection is constant and
remains open till the client sends a request to close the connection.
The Server has the record of all the connections which has been opened.
This is a state-full connection model and the server is aware of all open
connections.
WebSocket-based communication API is fully based on this model.
Exclusive Pair
Logical design of IoT

3. IoT communication API

In IoT, there are 2 communication APIs –
REST — based Communication APIs
Web Socket — based Communication APIs

1. REST-Based Communication API:

REpresentational State Transfer (REST) is a set of architectural principles by which
you can design web services and web APIs that focus on a system’s resources
and how resource states are addressed and transferred.
REST APIs follow the request-response communication model.
The REST architectural constraints apply to the components, connectors, and data
elements,within a distributed hypermedia system.
2. Web Socket-Based Communication APIs:
Web Socket APIs allow bi-directional, full-duplex communication between clients and
servers. It follows the exclusive pair communication model. This Communication API
does not require a new connection to be set up for each message to be sent between
clients and servers. Once the connection is set up the messages can be sent and
received continuously without any interruption. WebSocket APIs are suitable for IoT
Applications with low latency or high throughput requirements.
 Industrial Internet of Things

• A lightbulb that can be switched on using a smartphone app is an IoT device,

as is a motion sensor or a smart thermostat in your office or a connected
streetlight.
• An IoT device could be as fluffy as a child's toy or as serious as a driverless
truck.
• Some larger objects may themselves be filled with many smaller IoT
components, such as a jet engine that's now filled with thousands of sensors
collecting and transmitting data back to make sure it is operating efficiently.
Key Components of IIoT:
Sensors and Actuators:
Devices that collect data from the physical environment and control
machinery and processes.
Connectivity:
Communication networks that facilitate data exchange between devices,
systems, and platforms.
Data Analytics:
Advanced analytics tools that process large volumes of data to generate
actionable insights.
Cloud Computing:
Scalable and flexible storage and computing resources that support data
processing and analysis.
 IoT benefits to organizations

• monitor their overall business processes;

• improve the customer experience (CX);
• save time and money;
• enhance employee productivity;
• integrate and adapt business models;
• make better business decisions; and
• generate more revenue.
Advantages of IoT
• Improved Efficiency:IoT devices can automate routine tasks, reducing the need for manual
intervention and increasing operational efficiency.
• Enhanced Data Collection:IoT devices collect vast amounts of data, providing valuable insights and
analytics that can be used to make informed decisions.
• Cost Savings:By optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency, IoT can significantly
reduce operational costs.
• Better Resource Management:IoT enables more precise monitoring and management of resources,
such as energy, water, and materials, leading to better conservation and sustainability.
• Improved Customer Experience:IoT can enhance customer experience through personalized
services, real-time support, and improved product performance.
• Predictive Maintenance:IoT devices can predict when equipment is likely to fail, allowing for
proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.
• Enhanced Safety and Security:IoT solutions can improve safety and security through real-time
monitoring, alerts, and automated responses to potential threats.
• Innovation and New Business Models:IoT fosters innovation by enabling new services and business
models, such as smart cities, connected healthcare, and intelligent transportation systems.
• Improved Quality of Life:IoT applications in healthcare, home automation, and environmental
monitoring can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals.
• Environmental Benefits:IoT can contribute to environmental sustainability by optimizing energy
use, reducing waste, and monitoring environmental conditions.
Disadvantages of IoT

• Security Risks:IoT devices can be vulnerable to hacking and cyber-attacks,

• Privacy Concerns:The vast amount of data collected by IoT devices can raise privacy
issues, as users may not always be aware of how their data is being used or shared.
• Complexity and Integration Issues:Integrating various IoT devices and platforms can be
complex
• Data Overload:The sheer volume of data generated by IoT devices can be overwhelming
and difficult to manage, analyze, and store effectively.
• High Initial Costs:The initial investment for IoT infrastructure, including devices, sensors,
and connectivity solutions, can be high
• Reliability and Stability:IoT systems can be prone to malfunctions, connectivity issues, and
other technical problems that can disrupt operations.
• Short Lifespan and Obsolescence:Many IoT devices have short lifespans and can
become obsolete quickly,
• Energy Consumption:IoT devices can consume significant amounts of energy, which can
be a concern for battery-operated devices and overall environmental impact.
• Dependence on Internet Connectivity:IoT devices rely on stable and continuous internet
connectivity, and any disruption in service can lead to loss of functionality or data.
• Ethical and Legal Issues:The use of IoT technology raises ethical and legal questions,
particularly regarding data ownership, consent, and liability in the event of device failures.
• Scalability Issues:As the number of IoT devices increases, scaling up the infrastructure to
support them can be challenging and resource-intensive.

.
 Applications of IoT
IoT has diverse applications across various sectors:
∙ Smart Homes: IoT enables automation of home appliances, security systems,
and energy management, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
∙ Healthcare: Wearable devices and remote monitoring systems collect health
data, allowing for real-time health tracking and personalized medical care.
∙ Industrial IoT (IIoT): In manufacturing and logistics, IoT improves operational
efficiency, predictive maintenance, and supply chain management.
∙ Smart Cities: IoT solutions enhance urban living by optimizing traffic
management, energy use, waste management, and public safety.
∙ Agriculture: IoT devices monitor soil conditions, weather, and crop health,
enabling precision farming and resource optimization.
❖IoT Retail Shops
❖Farming
❖Wearables
❖Smart Grids
❖Industrial Internet
❖Telehealth
❖Smart Supply-chain Management
❖Traffic management Water and Waste management Smart Thermostats