Chapter - 2

Emergence of IoT
Topics Covered:
 Introduction
 Evolution of IoT
 Enabling IoT and the Complex Interdependence of Technologies
 IoT Networking Components
Introduction:
The Internet, sometimes called as "the Net,", is a global
network consisting of many networks which allow a user with a computer or
similar device to interact with other computers. Thing refers to a physical
object, an action, idea, situation or activity.
Internet of Things in short IoT, is a system of interrelated
(interconnectedness) of physical objects or “things” (computing devices) that
are embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity,
which enables these objects to collect and exchange data without human
interaction.
IoT is not just about laptops and smartphones: almost anything with an on/off
switch can potentially connect to the internet, making it part of the IoT.
IoT Components:

1. Smart devices and sensors – Device connectivity

Devices and sensors are the components of the
device connectivity layer. These smart sensors are continuously collecting
data from the environment and transmit the information to the next layer.
Common sensors are:
 Temperature sensors and thermostats
 Pressure sensors
 Humidity / Moisture level
 Light intensity detectors
 Moisture sensors
 Proximity detection
 RFID tags
How are the devices connected?
Most modern smart devices and
sensors can be connected to low-power wireless networks like Wi-Fi, ZigBee,
Bluetooth, Z-wave, LoRAWAN, etc. Each of these wireless technologies has its
pros and cons in terms of power, data transfer rate, and overall efficiency.
Developments in low-power, low-cost wireless transmitting devices are
promising in the area of IoT due to their long battery life and efficiency. Many
companies have adopted the latest protocols like 6LoWPAN- IPv6 over Low
Power Wireless Personal Area Networks to implement energy-efficient data
transmission for IoT networks. 6LoWPAN uses reduced transmission time
(typically short time pulses) and thus saves energy.
2. Gateway

IoT Gateway manages the bidirectional data traffic between different

networks and protocols. Another function of the gateway is to translate
different network protocols and make sure interoperability of the connected
devices and sensors.
Gateways can be configured to perform pre-processing of the collected data
from thousands of sensors locally before transmitting it to the next stage. In
some scenarios, it would be necessary due to the compatibility of the TCP/IP
protocol.
IoT gateway offers a certain level of security for the network and transmitted
data with higher-order encryption techniques. It acts as a middle layer
between devices and the cloud to protect the system from malicious attacks
and unauthorized access.
3. Cloud
 The Internet of Things creates massive data from devices,
applications, and users, which has to be managed in an efficient way. IoT
cloud offers tools to collect, process, manage and store huge amounts of
data in real time. Industries and services can easily access these data
remotely and make critical decisions when necessary.
Basically, the IoT cloud is a sophisticated, high-performance network of
servers optimized to perform high-speed data processing of billions of
devices, traffic management, and deliver accurate analytics. Distributed
database management systems are one of the most important components
of the IoT cloud.
Cloud system integrates billions of devices, sensors, gateways, protocols,
and data storage and provides predictive analytics. Companies use these
analytics data to improve products and services, preventive measures for
certain steps, and build their new business model accurately.
4. Analytics

Analytics is the process of converting analog data from billions of

smart devices and sensors into useful insights which can be
interpreted and used for detailed analysis. Smart analytics solutions
are inevitable for IoT systems for the management and improvement of the
entire system.
One of the major advantages of an efficient IoT system is real-time smart
analytics which helps engineers to find out irregularities in the collected data
and act fast to prevent an undesired scenario. Service providers can prepare
for further steps if the information is collected accurately at the right time.
Big enterprises use the massive data collected from IoT devices and utilize
the insights for their future business opportunities. Careful analysis will help
organizations to predict trends in the market and plan ahead for a successful
implementation.
Information is very significant in any business model, and predictive analysis
ensures success in the concerned area of the business line.
5. User interface

User interfaces are the visible, tangible part of the IoT system which users
can access. It is one of the significant components of Internet of things where
user control the system and collect information. Designers will have to make
sure of a well-designed user interface for minimum effort for users and
encourage more interactions.
Modern technology offers much interactive design to ease complex tasks into
simple touch panel controls. Multicolor touch panels have replaced hard
switches in our household appliances, and the trend is increasing for almost
every smart home device.
The user interface design has higher significance in today’s competitive
market; it often determines the user whether to choose a particular device or
appliance. Users will be interested in buying new devices or smart gadgets if
it is very user-friendly and compatible with common wireless standards.
Applications of Internet of Things:
 Smart Homes: Devices like smart thermostats, security cameras, and
lighting systems allow homeowners to automate and remotely control
their living spaces.
 Healthcare (IoMT): IoT is used in medical devices for monitoring
patients' vital signs, managing chronic diseases, and improving
diagnostics.
 Industrial IoT (IIoT): In industries like manufacturing and logistics, IoT
helps in predictive maintenance, improving efficiency, and real-time
supply chain monitoring.
 Smart Cities: IoT helps cities manage resources more efficiently, from
smart streetlights to traffic management and waste collection.
 Agriculture: IoT is transforming farming with tools like soil sensors,
automated irrigation systems, and livestock tracking.
 Fig. Major IoT application domains

Internet of Things Examples

i) IoT devices at home:
 Wearable health monitors – Fitness trackers like Fitbits
 Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri
  Smart Appliances like iRobot, the vacuum cleaner
 Smart Cars – Tesla
 Smart home security systems
ii) IoT devices or applications in Industries and towns/cities:
 Smart Grids
 Smart Supply chain management
 Healthcare system
 Smart farming
 Smart connected factory
Key Concepts of IoT:
1. Connectivity: IoT devices are connected to the internet, enabling them
to communicate with each other and share data in real-time. This is
typically achieved via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular networks.
2. Sensors and Actuators: Sensors collect data from the physical
environment (like temperature, motion, or light levels), while actuators
can affect physical systems (such as turning on a light or adjusting the
thermostat).
3. Data Exchange: The devices constantly collect and exchange data,
which can then be analyzed to make decisions or trigger actions, often
without human intervention.
4. Automation and Control: IoT enables remote monitoring and control of
devices. For instance, you can monitor your home's security system or
control smart appliances from a smartphone.
5. Integration with Cloud Computing: Many IoT devices send their data
to the cloud for storage and processing. This allows for advanced data
analysis, real-time monitoring, and seamless scalability.
Key Characteristics of IoT
The key characteristics of IoT, that are essential for understanding its
capabilities and potential impact on various industries:
Scalability:
One important characteristic of IoT is scalability. This means
that IoT systems have the ability to accommodate a large number of
devices. Whether it's a smart home, a smart city, or an industrial setting, IoT
networks can handle an extensive range of connected devices without
compromising performance. This scalability allows for the expansion and
growth of IoT ecosystems as more devices join the network.
Interoperability:
In an IoT environment, devices from different brands or
types should be able to communicate with each other seamlessly.
Interoperability ensures that devices can exchange information and work
together effectively, regardless of their individual specifications or protocols.
For example, a smart thermostat from one brand should be able to
communicate with a smart speaker from another brand without any
compatibility issues.
Real-time Data:
Real-time data collection and analysis are fundamental
aspects of IoT. Devices in an IoT network continuously gather information
from their surroundings and transmit it in real time for analysis. This
constant flow of data enables businesses and individuals to make informed
decisions promptly based on up-to-date information. For instance, sensors in
a manufacturing plant can provide real-time data on machine performance,
allowing operators to identify potential issues before they cause significant
disruptions.
Automation:
Automation is another key characteristic that sets IoT apart.
Devices within an IoT ecosystem can perform tasks autonomously without
human intervention. Through programming and artificial
intelligence algorithms, these devices can execute predefined actions based
on specific conditions or triggers. For example, a smart security system can
automatically lock doors when everyone leaves the house or adjust
temperature settings based on occupancy patterns.

Enabling IoT and the complex interdependence of Technologies:

Paradigm: A set of fundamental principles, concepts, and assumptions that
guide the design, development, and implementation of IoT systems.
IoT is a paradigm built upon complex interdependencies of technologies
(both legacy and modern).
In the above figure, IoT paradigm divide into four planes. They are,
 Services plane
 Local connectivity plane
 Global connectivity plane
 Processing plane
Service plane:
The services offered fall under the control and
purview(ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿ) of service providers. The service plane is composed into
two parts. They are,
1. Things and Devices
2. Low power connectivity
Typically, the service offered in this layer are a combination of things and low
power connewctivity.
Example:
• Any IoT application requires the basic setup of sensing, and a low-power,
low-range network, which is mainly built upon the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol.
• Things: Wearables, computers, smartphones, household appliances,
smart glasses, factory, machinery, vending machines, vehicles, UAVs,
robots etc.
• Low Power Connectivity: Responsible for connecting the things in local
implementation, may be legacy protocols such as WiFi, Ethernet, or
cellular.
• Modern Day Technologies: are mainly wireless and programmable E.g.
Zigbee, RFID, Bluetooth, 6LoWPAN, LoRA, DASH, Insteon, and others
They are responsible for the connectivity between the things of the IoT and
the nearest hub or gateway to access the Internet.
Local Connectivity: is responsible for distributing Internet access to
multiple local IoT deployments. Distribution may be on the basis of the
Physical placement of the things, on the basis of Application domains or even
on the basis of service providers. Services such as address management,
device management, security, sleep scheduling, etc, fall within the scope of
this plane.
For example, Smart Home Environment, the first and the ground floor may
have local IoT implementations, which have various things connected to the
network via low-power, low-range connectivity technologies.
The traffic from these two floor devices merges into a single router or a
gateway. The total traffic from these devices leaves through a single
gateway or router, which may be assigned a single global IP address (for the
whole house). This helps in the significant conservation of already limited
global IP addresses. (IoT Mgmt.)

IoT Networking components:

 Any IoT Application is composed of several
components, which may vary with their application domains. There are six
types of IoT networking components. They are,
1. IoT node
2. IoT Routers
3. IoT LAN
4. IoT WAN
5. IoT Gateway
6. IoT Proxy

Fig. A typical IoT network ecosystem highlighting the various networking

components from IoT nodes to the Internet
Various IoT nodes within an IoT LAN are configured to one another as well as
talk to the IoT router whenever they are in the range of it.
• The devices have locally unique (LU-x) device identifiers.
• These identifiers are unique only within a LAN.
• These identifiers may be repeated in a new LAN.
• Each IoT LAN has its own unique identifier, which is denoted by IoT LAN-x.
A router acts as a connecting link between LAN by forwarding messages from
the LAN to the IoT gateway or the IoT proxy. The proxy is an application layer
device. It is possible additionally to include features such as firewalls, packet
filters, and other security measures besides the regular routing operations.
Various gateways connect to an IoT WAN, which links these devices to the
Internet. The gateway or the proxy may directly connect to the Internet.
This network may be wired or wireless; however, IoT deployments heavily
rely on wireless solutions. Wireless technology is the only feasible and neat-
enough solution to avoid the hassles of laying wires and dealing with the
restricted mobility
IoT Node:
Nodes are networking devices within an IoT LAN. Each of these
devices is typically made up of a sensor, a processor and a radio, which
communicates with the network infrastructure (either within the LAN or
outside it). The nodes may be connected to other nodes inside LAN directly
or by means of a common gateway for that LAN. Connections outside the
LAN are through gateway and proxies.
IoT Router:
An IoT router is a piece of networking equipment that is
primarily tasked with the routing of packets between various entities in the
IoT network. It keeps the traffic flowing correctly within the network. A router
can be repurposed as a gateway by enhancing its functionalities.
IoT LAN:
 The LAN enables local connectivity within the purview of a single
gateway. Typically, they consist of short-range connectivity technologies. IoT
LANs may or may not be connected to the Internet. Generally, they are
localized within a building or an organization.
IoT WAN:
The WAN connects various network segments such as LANs. They
are typically organizationally and geographically wide, with their operational
range lies between a few KM to hundreds of KMS. IoT WANs connect to the
Internet and enable Internet access to the segments (LAN) they are
connecting.
IoT Gateway:
An IoT gateway is a simply router connecting the IoT LAN to
a WAN or the Internet. Gateways can implement several LANs and WANs.
Their primary task is to forward packets between LANs and WANs, and the IP
layer using only layer 3.
IoT Proxy:
Proxies actively lies on the application layer and performs
application layer functions between IoT nodes and other entities. Typically,
application layer proxies are a means of providing security to the network
entities under it. It helps to extend the addressing range of its network.