Unit I: Introduction to IoT

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

 Topics Covered

IoT Fundamentals Overview

IoT Evolution

Sensors and Actuators

IoT Architecture

Resource Management
IoT Fundamental Overview
 One Min reading

Riya’s plants kept wilting because she forgot to

water them. Her tech-savvy friend, Sam, gave
her a smart garden system. Tiny sensors in the
soil measured moisture and sent data to a cloud
server. If the soil was dry, the system triggered
an automatic water pump via a Wi-Fi signal. Riya
also got alerts on her phone. Now, her plants
thrived without constant attention!

Identify the key points discussed in the story.

 Key Points

Smart Garden System

Sensors
Data
Cloud server
Water Pump
Wi-Fi Signals
Phone Notifications
Smart Garden System
What is IoT?
 Internet of Things

Internet of Things is a system of interrelated

computing devices or objects which have the ability
to transfer the data over a network without
requiring any human to human or human to
computer interaction uniquely addressable, based
on standard communication protocol.
It is a giant network of connected things, capturing
the data about the way they are used and the
environment around them
 What is Things?

"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 operations.
These devices collect useful data with the help of various existing
technologies and then autonomously flow the data between
other devices.
IoT Ecosystem
 Different Name of IoT

• Internet of Everything
• Smarter Planet
• Machine to Machine (M2M)
• The Fog
• Tsensors (Trillion Sensors)
• The Industrial Internet
• Industry 4.0
• Internet of Things (IoT)
 What is Data?

Data Information Knowledge

• Raw and • Information is • Knowledge is

unprocessed inferred from inferred from
data obtained data by filtering, information by
from IoT devices processing, organizing and
and systems categorizing, structuring
conditioning and information and
contextualizing. is put into action
to achieve
specific goals.
 Contd.

• The scope of IoT is not limited to just connecting

things to the internet. IoT allows these things to
communicate and exchange data while executing
meaningful applications towards a common user
or machine goal.
• Data itself does not have a meaning until it is
contextualized process into a useful information.
• This information is then organized and structured
to infer knowledge about the system, its
environment and its operations.
 Characteristics of IoT

• Dynamic and Self Adapting

• Self-configurable
• Interoperable communication protocols
• Unique identity
• Integrated into Information Network.
 Advantages of IoT
• Efficiency & Automation – IoT automates tasks (e.g.,
smart thermostats adjusting temperature), saving time
and energy.
• Real-Time Data & Insights – Sensors collect instant data
for better decision-making (e.g., healthcare monitoring).
• Cost Savings – Reduces operational costs in industries
(predictive maintenance prevents machine failures).
• Improved Quality of Life – Smart homes, wearables, and
connected vehicles enhance convenience and safety.
• Enhanced Productivity – Businesses optimize workflows
using IoT-driven analytics.
 Disadvantages of IoT

• Security Risks – Vulnerable to hacking (e.g., unauthorized

access to smart cameras).
• Privacy Concerns – Constant data collection raises
surveillance and misuse fears.
• High Implementation Cost – Expensive infrastructure
(sensors, cloud, 5G) limits accessibility.
• Complexity & Compatibility Issues – Different IoT
standards make integration difficult.
• Dependence on Connectivity – Power outages or network
failures disrupt functionality
 Key Challenges in IoT
The rapid growth of IoT brings immense opportunities but
also significant challenges that must be addressed for
sustainable development:
1. Security Vulnerabilities
• IoT devices are often targeted by hackers due to weak
encryption and poor authentication.
• DDoS attacks using botnets (e.g., Mirai malware) can
cripple networks.
2. Privacy Concerns
• Massive data collection raises risks of misuse (e.g.,
unauthorized tracking, data breaches).
• Compliance with regulations like GDPR is complex but
necessary.
 Contd.
3. Interoperability & Standardization Issues
• Different manufacturers use varying protocols, making
seamless integration difficult.
• Lack of universal standards slows down large-scale
deployments.
4. Scalability & Network Congestion
• Billions of connected devices strain bandwidth, especially
with limited IPv6 adoption.
• Edge computing helps but requires infrastructure upgrades.
5. Power Consumption & Battery Life
• Many IoT sensors rely on batteries, requiring energy-efficient
designs.
• Solutions like energy harvesting are still evolving.
 Contd.

6. Data Management & Storage

• Handling massive real-time data requires robust
cloud/edge infrastructure.
• High storage costs and latency issues persist.
7. Legal & Ethical Concerns
• Questions on data ownership, AI-driven decisions, and
liability in case of failures.
 What is Industrial IoT (IIoT)?

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to the

integration of smart sensors, devices, machines, and
software with industrial processes to enhance
automation, data exchange, and efficiency in
manufacturing, energy, logistics, and other industrial
sectors.
Meaning of IIoT:IIoT is a subset of the broader Internet
of Things (IoT) but focuses specifically on industrial
applications. It leverages real-time data collection, cloud
computing, AI, and machine learning to optimize
operations, reduce downtime, and improve productivity.
Characteristic Description

Machines, sensors, and devices are interconnected via

1. Connectivity
wired/wireless networks (Wi-Fi, 5G, Ethernet).

Enables autonomous decision-making through AI and

2. Automation
machine learning.

Provides live data tracking for predictive maintenance and

3. Real-time Monitoring
process control.

Processes vast amounts of industrial data for actionable

4. Big Data & Analytics
insights.

Ensures secure communication between devices to

5. Cybersecurity
prevent cyber threats.

Supports expansion with additional sensors and devices as

6. Scalability
needed.
Reduces latency by processing data closer to the source
7. Edge Computing
(at the "edge").
 IoT Evolution
• The concept of the Internet of Things first became
popular in 1999, through the Auto-ID Center at MIT
and related market-analysis publications.
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID) was seen as a
prerequisite for the IoT at that point.
• If all objects and people in daily life were equipped
with identifiers, computers could manage and
inventory them.
• Besides using RFID, the tagging of things may be
achieved through such technologies as near field
communication, barcodes, QR codes, blue-tooth,
and digital watermarking.
 How IoT Works

• Internet of Things is not the result of a single novel

technology; instead, several complementary
technical developments provide capabilities that
taken together help to bridge the gap between the
virtual and physical world. These capabilities include:
• Communication and cooperation
• Addressability
• Identification
• Sensing
• Actuation
• Embedded information processing
• Localization
• User interfaces
 Structure of IoT

The IoT can be viewed as a gigantic network consisting

of networks of devices and computers connected
through a series of intermediate technologies where
numerous technologies like RFIDs, wireless
connections may act as enablers of this connectivity.
 Contd.

• Tagging Things: Real-time item traceability and

addressability by RFIDs.
• Feeling Things: Sensors act as primary devices to
collect data from the environment.
• Shrinking Things: Miniaturization and Nanotechnology
has provoked the ability of smaller things to interact
and connect within the “things” or “smart devices.”
• Thinking Things: Embedded intelligence in devices
through sensors has formed the network connection
to the Internet. It can make the “things” realizing the
intelligent control.
The Evolution of IoT: A Brief Journey

• The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed how we

interact with technology. Its journey began in 1982
when researchers at Carnegie Mellon University
connected a Coke vending machine to the internet,
allowing it to report inventory and temperature.
• In the 1990s, advancements in RFID tags and wireless
sensors set the foundation for machine-to-machine
(M2M) communication. The term "Internet of
Things" was officially coined in 1999 by Kevin Ashton,
envisioning a world where physical objects could
share data seamlessly.
 Contd.

• The 2000s saw IoT enter homes with smart devices like the
Nest Thermostat (2011), while industries adopted sensors
for logistics and automation. The rise of cloud computing
and 4G in the 2010s accelerated IoT growth, enabling real-
time data processing and smart cities.
• Today, 5G, AI, and edge computing make IoT faster and
smarter—powering autonomous vehicles, predictive
maintenance, and precision agriculture. Future
advancements will integrate blockchain for security,
quantum computing for speed, and ambient IoT for
invisible connectivity.
• From a single smart vending machine to a global network
of billions of devices, IoT continues to reshape our world,
making it more efficient and interconnected than ever.
 Current and Future Trends in IoT
In 2025, IoT will advance through 5G expansion, AI-driven
automation, and edge computing, enabling faster, more
intelligent networks. Meanwhile, non-terrestrial networks
(NTN) and enhanced security protocols will ensure more
reliable, scalable, and secure global IoT deployments. Here are
a few to look out for in the coming years:
1. Mass adoption of 5G IoT
• As 5G networks grow, IoT applications will become more
reliable and responsive. Faster speeds and better
connectivity will let devices communicate in real-time, which
is essential for industries like automotive, healthcare, and
smart cities. Self-driving cars will process sensor data
instantly, and telemedicine and remote health monitoring
will be more effective and accessible worldwide.
 Contd.
2. Edge computing for real-time processing
Edge computing speeds things up by processing data closer to where
it's created instead of relying on distant cloud servers. Edge
computing is especially useful for industries that require split-second,
real-time decisions, like self-driving cars and industrial automation. By
handling data on the spot, businesses can work more efficiently, use
less bandwidth, and respond quickly for critical operations.
3. AI-powered IoT (AIoT)
The combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IoT, known as AIoT,
is creating new opportunities for automation and predictive analytics.
AI-powered IoT devices can process large amounts of data, recognize
patterns, and make smart decisions on their own. This technology is
improving predictive maintenance in manufacturing, streamlining
supply chains, optimizing smart energy grids, and enhancing smart
homes with more intuitive automation and efficiency.
 Contd.

4. Proliferation of digital twins

Digital twin technology, which creates virtual versions of physical
assets, is becoming more popular across industries. Businesses can
improve performance, predict issues, and prevent failures by
simulating real-world conditions. In healthcare, digital twins of
patients can help customize treatments. In logistics, they can make
supply chains more efficient.
5. Greater emphasis on IoT security
As IoT networks grow, cybersecurity is more important than ever.
Security strategies will focus on strong encryption, secure access
protocols, and AI-powered threat detection. With cyber threats
becoming more advanced, organizations—especially in healthcare
and finance—must strengthen protections to safeguard data and
meet regulations.
 Contd.
6. Expansion of non-terrestrial networks (NTN)
Satellite-based IoT connectivity is set to reshape global communication,
ensuring devices stay connected even in remote or challenging
locations. NTNs will be especially useful for industries like logistics,
agriculture, and maritime operations, where traditional networks may
not be enough. Businesses can ensure reliable IoT connections
worldwide with low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
7. Sustainability and energy-efficient IoT
In 2025, sustainability and energy-efficient IoT will be a major focus as
businesses work to reduce environmental impact and use resources
more wisely. IoT-powered smart grids, energy-efficient sensors, and AI-
driven automation will help cut energy waste, boost efficiency, and
lower carbon footprints. As industries shift to greener IoT solutions,
technologies like low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) and battery-
efficient devices will help support long-term sustainable connectivity.
Contd.
Contd.
Sensors & Actuators
 Sensors

Sensors or transducers represent physical

devices that convert one form of energy into
another. Sensors convert a physical device into
an electrical impulse to take the desired action.
For instance, sensors in an ambient light system
will measure the brightness of the light by
turning it into an electrical signal.
 Actuators

Taking the sensor discussion forward, actuators

do the opposite of a sensor. They convert
electrical impulses into physical actions or
objects. In the light example, as the sensor is
reading the brightness of the light by converting
it into an electrical signal, an actuator takes
action according to the desired setting. So here,
it will decrease or increase the light brightness
according to the set parameters.
Contd.
 Contd.
Sensor Type Function Applications Example Products
Temperature Smart thermostats, industrial DS18B20 (Maxim
Measures heat/cold
Sensor machines Integrated)

Humidity Sensor Detects moisture levels Agriculture, HVAC systems DHT22 (Aosong)

Parking sensors, touchless VL53L0X

Proximity Sensor Detects nearby objects
faucets (STMicroelectronics)

Measures motion & MPU6050 (TDK

Accelerometer Wearables, vehicle tracking
vibration InvenSense)
Detects air quality (CO₂,
Gas Sensor Smart cities, industrial safety MQ-2 (Hanwei)
CO)

Light Sensor Measures ambient light Smart lighting, solar panels BH1750 (ROHM)

Monitors fluid/gas
Pressure Sensor Automotive, medical devices BMP280 (Bosch)
pressure

Reads fingerprints, heart Smart locks, healthcare MAX30102 (Maxim

Biometric Sensor
rate wearables Integrated)
 Contd.
Actuator Type Function Applications Example Products

Converts electrical NEMA 17 Stepper

Electric Motor Robotics, drones
energy to motion Motor

Uses compressed air for Festo Pneumatic

Pneumatic Actuator Industrial automation
movement Actuators

Uses fluid pressure for Construction Parker Hydraulic

Hydraulic Actuator
high-force tasks equipment Actuators

Electrically controls
Solenoid Valve Smart irrigation, HVAC Danfoss Solenoid Valves
fluid flow

Turns devices ON/OFF Smart homes, industrial Songle Relay (SRD-

Relay Switch
remotely control 05VDC)

Precise angular/linear Robotics, camera

Servo Motor SG90 Micro Servo
motion gimbals

Automated doors,
Linear Actuator Moves in a straight line Firgelli Linear Actuators
medical beds
 Contd.

Protocol Range Power Use Best For

Smart homes, cloud-

Wi-Fi (802.11) Medium-High High
connected devices

Bluetooth (BLE) Short Low Wearables, beacons

Smart lighting,
Zigbee (802.15.4) Medium Low
industrial IoT

Agriculture, smart
LoRaWAN Long Very Low
cities

Depends on Industrial IoT,

MQTT Cloud-based
network remote monitoring

Modbus (RS-485) Wired Low Factory automation

Functional block of IoT
 Contd.

1. Device: An IoT system comprises of devices that provide sensing,

actuation, monitoring and control functions.
2. Communication: handles the communication for IoT system.
3. Services: for device monitoring, device control services, data publishing
services and services for device discovery.
4. Management: Provides various functions to govern the IoT system.
5. Security: Secures IoT system and priority functions such as
authentication ,authorization, message and context integrity and data
security.
6. Application: IoT application provide an interface that the users can use
to control and monitor various aspects of IoT system
A Reference Architecture of IoT
Service Oriented IoT Architecture

A service-based IoT architecture organizes IoT

functionalities into modular, reusable services that
communicate via APIs or message brokers. This
approach enhances scalability, interoperability, and
flexibility compared to monolithic architectures. It
aligns well with microservices and cloud-
native designs.
Goals of Service-Based IoT Architecture

• Interoperability between heterogeneous

devices
• Reusability of software components
• Scalability to support growing networks
• Flexibility to update or replace services
independently
• Cloud and Edge Integration
 Key components of Service Based
Architecture

.
Layer Description
Physical devices (sensors, actuators) that
Perception Layer
collect data or act on commands
Transfers data to/from devices using protocols
Network Layer
like MQTT, CoAP, HTTP, etc.
Handles data pre-processing, edge analytics,
Processing Layer
cloud AI/ML, and storage
Manages services for device access, rule-
Service Layer
based triggers, control logic
Interfaces that allow users to interact with the
Application Layer
system (web, mobile, dashboards)
 Service-Oriented Concepts in IoT

.
Concept Example in IoT

Service Discovery Finding available temperature sensors dynamically

Service Invocation Turning on a device by calling a REST API

Service Composition Crea ng a workflow like "If mo on → Turn on light"

Orchestration Managing the order and logic of multiple services

Example: Smart Home Using Service-
Based IoT Architecture

Function Service

Read room temperature GET /temperature-service

Turn on AC POST /ac-control-service?state=on

Monitor occupancy GET /motion-detection-service

Notification POST /notification-service?event=motion

Benefits
• Easy to scale across devices and domains
• Independent development & deployment of components
• Simplified integration with cloud and AI services
• Facilitates DevOps and Microservices architecture
Key Components of Service-Based IoT
Architecture
1. Device Services
• Manages IoT devices (sensors, actuators, gateways).
• Functions:
– Device provisioning & authentication
– Firmware updates (OTA)
– Telemetry data collection

2. Communication/Connectivity Services
• Handles data transmission between devices and the cloud.
• Protocols: MQTT, CoAP, HTTP, AMQP, WebSockets
• Functions:
– Protocol translation
– Load balancing & QoS management
 Contd.

3. Data Processing & Analytics Services

• Processes raw IoT data into actionable insights.
• Sub-services:
– Stream Processing (Apache Kafka, AWS Kinesis)
– Batch Processing (Spark, Hadoop)
– Edge Analytics (local decision-making)
– AI/ML Services (predictive maintenance, anomaly detection)
4. Storage Services
• Manages IoT data storage efficiently.
• Types:
– Time-Series Databases (InfluxDB, TimescaleDB)
– NoSQL Databases (MongoDB, Cassandra)
– Data Lakes (AWS S3, Azure Data Lake)
5. API & Integration Services
• Enables interoperability with external systems.
• Includes:
– REST APIs (for web/mobile apps)
– GraphQL APIs (flexible querying)
– Enterprise Integration (ERP, CRM systems)
6. Security & Identity Services
• Ensures end-to-end security.
• Sub-services:
– Authentication & Authorization (OAuth2, JWT)
– Encryption (TLS/SSL, AES)
– Device Identity Management (X.509 certificates)
 Contd.

7. Business & Application Services

• Delivers end-user functionalities.
• Examples:
– Dashboard & Visualization (Grafana, Power BI)
– Notification & Alerts (SMS, Email, Push)
– Automation & Workflows (IFTTT, Node-RED)
 API Oriented IoT Architecture

An API-oriented IoT architecture relies heavily

on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to
enable communication between IoT devices, cloud
services, and applications. This approach
promotes interoperability, scalability, and modularity,
making it ideal for cloud-based and hybrid IoT systems.
Key Components of an API-Oriented IoT
Architecture
1. Device APIs
• Enable device-to-cloud and device-to-device communication.
• Common protocols:
– HTTP/REST (for request-response interactions)
– MQTT (lightweight, pub-sub for real-time telemetry)
– CoAP (constrained devices, UDP-based)
– WebSocket (full-duplex communication)
2. Gateway APIs
• Used by IoT gateways to aggregate, preprocess, and forward data.
• Functions:
– Protocol translation (e.g., Zigbee → MQTT)
– Edge computing (local decision-making)
– Security (TLS encryption, API key management)
 Contd.

3. Cloud & Platform APIs

• Provided by IoT cloud platforms (AWS IoT, Azure IoT, Google Cloud IoT).
• Key APIs:
– Device Management API (provisioning, monitoring)
– Data Ingestion API (send telemetry to cloud)
– Command & Control API (send instructions to devices)
4. Data Processing & Analytics APIs
• Used for real-time and batch processing.
• Examples:
– Stream Processing API (Kafka, AWS Kinesis)
– Batch Analytics API (Spark, BigQuery)
– AI/ML APIs (TensorFlow Serving, Azure ML)
 Contd.

5. Storage & Database APIs

• Allow applications to store and retrieve IoT data.
• Common APIs:
– Time-Series DB API (InfluxDB, TimescaleDB)
– NoSQL API (MongoDB, Cassandra)
– Data Lake API (AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage)
6. Application & Integration APIs
• Enable third-party integrations and business logic.
• Types:
– RESTful APIs (for web/mobile apps)
– GraphQL APIs (flexible querying)
– Enterprise APIs (ERP, CRM integrations)
 Contd.

7. Security & Identity APIs

• Ensure secure access control and data protection.
• Examples:
– OAuth 2.0 / JWT APIs (authentication)
– PKI APIs (digital certificates for devices)
– Audit Logging API (track API calls for compliance)
Resource Management in IoT
 Computation Offloading
Computation offloading refers to transferring computational tasks from resource-
constrained IoT devices to more powerful edge/cloud servers.
Five Key Points:
• Latency vs. Energy Trade-off
– Offloading reduces device battery consumption but may increase latency.
– Critical applications (e.g., autonomous vehicles) require low-latency edge offloading.
• Dynamic Decision-Making
– Algorithms (e.g., Markov Decision Process, Reinforcement Learning) decide what, when, and
where to offload.
• Edge vs. Cloud Offloading
– Edge computing (fog nodes) for real-time processing.
– Cloud computing for heavy batch processing (e.g., big data analytics).
• Security & Trust
– Offloaded tasks must be encrypted (TLS, homomorphic encryption).
– Malicious nodes should not manipulate computation results.
• Load Balancing
– Distributes tasks across multiple edge/cloud servers to avoid bottlenecks.
– Uses techniques like round-robin, least connections, or AI-based scheduling.
 Resource/Service Identification
Identifying available resources (CPU, memory, bandwidth) and services (APIs, databases) is
crucial for efficient IoT operations.

Five Key Points:

1.Unique Addressing
• Each IoT device/service must have a unique identifier (UUID, IP, MAC, EPC).
• Example: IPv6 for large-scale IoT deployments.
2.Semantic Annotation
• Resources are tagged with metadata (e.g., sensor type, location, capabilities).
• Helps in automated discovery (e.g., using RDF, JSON-LD).
3. Standardized Naming Schemes
• URN (Uniform Resource Name) for persistent identification.
• MQTT Topics for hierarchical naming (e.g., home/kitchen/temperature).
4. Digital Twins
• Virtual representations of physical devices for easier tracking and management.
• Used in Industrial IoT (IIoT) for predictive maintenance.
5. Blockchain for Identity Management
• Decentralized identity (DID) ensures tamper-proof device identification.
• Example: IOTA Identity for IoT.