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[Introduction to Internet of Things]

Module 001 Introduction to Internet of Things

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Define what is internet of things.
2. Identify the facts about internet of things.
3. Identify “THINGS” in the internet of things.

What is Internet of things?

Welcome to the internet of things. In this course, we will explore the most efficient and
latest concept in terms of the Internet and the technologies that helps this world build a
modern place.
The internet’s role cannot be understated in this modern technology. It changes us, the
society and the whole world in our time. Most of us can’t even remember the time when
there is no internet. Internet has many concepts that shapes our world today. The
population of internet user’s all around the globe has surged over the past years.

 There are almost 5.11 billion unique mobile users in the world today, up to 2 percent in
the past year.
 There are 4.39 billion internet users in 2019, up to 9 percent versus January 2018.
 There are 3.48 billion social media users in 2019, up to 9 percent since this time last
year.

The internet is still changing the way we use it in our everyday tasks from communicating,
entertainment, education, health etc.

History of Iot
The term “Internet of things” actual idea of connecting machines had been around at
least since 70s. The term “embedded internet” or “pervasive computing” was the first
names of IoT back then. But the term “Internet of Things” was coined by Kevin
Ashton back in the past when he was working for Procter & gamble (P&G) in 1999.
He was working in supply chain optimization and created a presentation called
Radio-Frequency Identification of RFID to attract his senior management’s attention
over this new advancement technology. Later on his presentation was called
“Internet of Things”

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 In year 2002, an article called “internet of things” quoted with Ashton Kevin’s saying
“we need an internet for things, a standardized way for computers to understand the
real world” was published.

The concept of internet of things has been accepted over the time starting in 1999
since its conception. The term internet of things has been used that represents the
merging of the physical world to the virtual world.

Facts about Internet of things

The internet of things continuous to expands over the years. It is really fascinating to
witness by us firsthand. The technology keeps on evolving rapidly as time goes by. With
this the internet of things devices or machines are fundamentally changing us humans how
to interact with one another.
The Internet of things refers also to the billions of devices around the world that are
connected to the internet. This “Things” that are connected to the internet are almost
everywhere, from the smartphones we had, to the electronic machines that we are using in
our daily lives.
As time goes by, many terms related to the internet of things has been used to put certain
meaning/definition to them. This are the terms we will mostly use throughout this
preliminaries:

Glossary of Terms
Iot – or Internet of things is a platform in which every devices becomes smarted,
processing becomes faster and every data and communication becomes more and
more informative.

Things – a computing device that sends and receive information and data over a
network in order for the device to properly interact with the user.

Internet – the large system of interconnected networks .Computers that has internet
allows users to transmit information using standardized communication protocols.

Smart – term used as to be capable of handling things in an independent action.

Wireless Network – a computer network that uses wireless data connections

between 2 things or more.

Wired Network – a computer networks that uses cable wires for data transmitting
between 2 things or more.
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Cloud – a data storage and computing power without direct physical command by
the user.

Sensor – device that measures real world condition like mass, heat, or motion.

Actuator – part of a device that is used for moving and controlling a system.

IP address – or internet protocol is the address assigned for each devices that is
numerical labeled that is connected to a network.

Embedded system – the combination of a software and hardware devices that is

programmable or fixed capability.

Analog- uses changeable aspects based on physical quantities and calculations.

Digital-commonly used device that is used to process data within digits, called
binary numbers.

Things
As the definition stated at the top “things” are a computing device that sends and receive
information and data over a network in order for the device to properly interact with the
user. But what exactly does this means? And how important are these things in our
discussion. A thing can also be a microprocessor or micro controller. So from here I will
give you example to understand more about things. Things are not complicated as it sounds
like, things are devices or anything that sends data or command to receive information to
the users, and this means that washing machines, Oven toasters, and even an electric fan
cannot be called as a thing. Why? Even though they have an embedded system, still they
cannot sends or transmit information from the user or to other devices through networks.

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The “Thing” that we are talking about that transmit information through networks may
provide

1. Identification and Information storage (RFID tags, security systems)

2. Information collection (sensor networks, store sensor values)
3. Information processing(understanding commands, sorting data)
4. Communications (sends and receive messages)
5. Actuation(switch controls)

For every Thing to become a “Thing” in Iot the devices must have the following above
features not just an embedded system. All things in Iot must be able to sends and receive
information and data through networks. Some devices have the features above are the
smart Televisions, Smart phones etc.

Figure 1. Internet of Things

How do we make this Things

From the definition of things. It is either a microcontroller or a microprocessor.
First, what is a thing that is a microcontroller? Microcontroller things need the
following components;
 Good memory size
 Number of general purpose input and output pins
 Peripheral communication
 Communication capabilities

All of the elements above must be included in a single chip or externally interfaced
to a microprocessor.
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Figure 2. Microprocessor

Once the microprocessor has been selected the next thing to do is to select what
type of SENSOR you will use. Choosing the right sensor is focused to its application
(size,sound,pressure , sensor sensitivity, powered consume, etc.) then find a device
that convert it into electrical signal which can be either analog or digital. Choosing
also the ACTUATORS are also application specifications.

Linking or Bridging the Internet of Things

We have 2 ways to connect the IoT to the networks. This 2 are the wired networks
and the wireless networks. As the definition stated above the 2 have the same
purpose; to connect the things to the internet or into a networks. This is the contrast
between the wired and the wireless networks:

WIRED NETWORKS
Pros
1. High security due to they can’t cut-off signals down the wires.
2. Exceptional high speeds (depending on the cable and hardware)
3. Long cables but still very economical.
4. Plug and play; instant – on.
Cons
1. Cables can be wreck.

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WIRELESS NETWORKS
Pros
1. Advantageous; allows freedom and can work anywhere and anytime.
2. More people connecting to one access point.
Cons
1. Limited signal range.
2. Signal can be cut
3. Signals are affected by other radio waves.
4. Not as speedy as wired networks.

Wireless or wired connection both can be used to connect in the internet or

networks. Some examples of wireless networks are Wifi, Bluetooth, zigbee, wav, etc.

Figure 3. Wired and wireless network

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References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals
1. <Dattaprasad Naik >; <November 27, 2014 >; <Inventrom >; <
https://inventrom.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/the-thing-in-internet-of-things/>;
<Inventrom>

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. <Importance of Internet of Life >; <https://www.legit.ng/1116642-importance-
internet-life.html >; < October 03, 2019 >

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