Unit 45: Internet of Things

Unit code J/618/7481

Unit level 5

Credit value 15

Introduction
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects – devices, vehicles,
drones and other objects embedded with electronics, software, sensors and
network connectivity – that enables those objects to collect and exchange data.
The objective of the IoT is to enable almost any object to become smart, accessible
and data capable, thereby benefitting from advances in communications,
computation and interconnectivity. IoT explores the mixture of hardware, software,
data, platforms and services that can be combined to create innovative
opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world and objects into
computer-based systems, resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy, social and
economic benefit to people.
This unit introduces students to the role, basic concepts and benefits of IoT in the
design and development process of computer applications. The aim of the unit is to
enhance understanding of the methodology, terminology and benefits of IoT in the
design and development of software applications.
Among the topics included in this unit are: classification and terminology of IoT,
the hardware, software, data, platforms and services used to enable IoT, common
architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs that can be utilised to design
IoT- enabled objects, problems and solutions resulting from widespread
deployment and adoption of IoT, software application methodology for IoT-specific
software application design and development, data models, network complexity,
security, privacy, enabling technologies and how to simulate and test an IoT
concept.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to explain the basic
concepts of IoT; design, build and simulate an IoT application using any
combination of hardware, software, data, platforms and services; be able to discuss
the problems that IoT applications solve; the potential impact on society, business
and the end user, and the problems encountered when integrating into the wider
IoT ecosystem. As a result, students will develop skills such as communication
literacy, design thinking, team working, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and
interpretation and computer software literacy, which are crucial for gaining
employment and developing academic competence.

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
LO1 Analyse what aspects of IoT are necessary and appropriate when designing
software applications
LO2 Outline a plan for an appropriate IoT application, using common architecture,
frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs
LO3 Develop an IoT application using any combination of hardware, software, data,
platforms and services
LO4 Evaluate your IoT application and the problems it might encounter when
integrating into the wider IoT ecosystem.

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Essential Content

LO1 Analyse what aspects of IoT are necessary and appropriate when designing
software application

Identify role, formats and characteristics of IoT:

Present an overview of IoT and its appropriate use in software development.
Investigate what IoT is by researching its role, purpose, terminology and
methodology.
Explore NB-IoT and eLTE-IoT, including standards evolution and industry
development; related technologies, differences, and similarities between NB-
IoT and eLTE-IoT.
Appropriateness of various architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs
for different problem-solving requirements, including architecture of NB-IoT
solution and eLTE-IoT solutions, NB-IoT physical Layer, key NB-IoT Features,
open Modules for integration, E2E Ecosystems, lightweight devices.
Describe application scenarios of NB-IoT and eLTE-IoT.
Recognise the various forms of IoT by researching its history, current trends
and use in relation to, and in conjunction with, traditional computer-based
systems and networks.
Define the characteristics of IoT by investigating how it can be used and how
it can interact with existing computer-based networks and the physical world.
Recognise the use of appropriate IoT applications to solve specific problems.

Research specific forms of IoT functionality:

Explore various forms of IoT functionality.
Research, debate and agree current functionality, technology and trends for
IoT. Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using IoT.
Common problems in smart campuses and cities, pain points, corresponding
solutions.
Requirements of IoT technologies, including: ensuring appropriate functionality;
the need to reduce power consumption of the smart grid and how this
achieved.
Driving forces of IoT development and corresponding solutions.

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 Define standard architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs available
for use in IoT application development:
Review architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs available to
develop IoT applications.
The advantages and disadvantages of IoT architecture, frameworks, tools,
hardware and APIs.
How various architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs can be used to
create IoT applications.
Explore key technologies that enable and support mobile/cellular
communications, e.g. 3G, 4G, 5G.

LO2 Outline a plan for an appropriate IoT application using common

architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and APIs

Identify a problem to be solved and select appropriate IoT techniques to solve a

problem:
Specific problem to solve using IoT.
Evaluate the benefits, features, advantages and disadvantages of IoT to solve a
specific problem.
Review different architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and API
techniques that can be used.
Select the most appropriate IoT architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and
API techniques to include in an application.

Describe a plan for an IoT application to solve a problem:

Outline the problem to solve including how IoT and a planned application
addresses this problem.
Select an appropriate IoT application to achieve desired results.
Apply IoT architecture, frameworks, tools, hardware and API techniques
appropriate to the problem identified.
Use selected techniques to create an IoT application development plan.

LO3 Develop an IoT application using any combination of hardware, software,

data, platforms and services

Utilise appropriate tools and techniques to develop an IoT application:

Employ an appropriate set of tools to develop plan into an IoT
application. Run end user experiments and examine feedback.
Reconcile and evaluate end user feedback and determine advantages and
disadvantages of chosen IoT techniques.

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LO4 Evaluate your IoT application and the problems it might encounter when
integrating into the wider IoT ecosystem

Assess the success of an IoT application:

Assemble and appraise end user feedback from IoT application.
Undertake a critical review and compare final application with the original plan.
Evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses of IoT
techniques.
Critique the overall success an IoT application including how well it solved
problem, potential impact on people, business, society and the end user,
possible problems when integrating into the wider IoT ecosystem.

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Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1 Analyse what aspects of IoT are necessary and
appropriate when designing software applications

P1 Explore various M1 Analyse the impact of D1 Evaluate specific forms

forms of IoT common IoT architecture, of IoT architecture and
functionality. frameworks, tools, justify their use when
hardware and APIs in the designing software
P2 Review standard
software development applications.
architecture,
lifecycle.
frameworks, tools,
hardware and APIs M2 Examine specific forms
available for use in IoT of IoT architecture,
development. frameworks, tools, hardware
and APIs for different
problem-solving
requirements.

LO2 Outline a plan for an appropriate IoT application,

using common architecture, frameworks, tools,
hardware and APIs
LO2 and LO3
P3 Investigate M3 Plan the most D2 Make multiple iterations
architecture, appropriate IoT architecture, of the IoT application and
frameworks, tools, frameworks, tools, hardware modify each iteration with
hardware and API and API techniques to enhancements gathered
techniques available to include in an application to from user feedback and
develop IoT applications. solve a problem. experimentation.
P4 Discuss a specific M4 Apply selected techniques
problem to solve to create an IoT application
using IoT. development plan.

LO3 Develop an IoT application using any combination

of hardware, software, data, platforms and services

P5 Employ an appropriate M5 Reconcile end-user

set of tools to develop a feedback and determine
plan into an IoT advantages and
application. disadvantages of chosen
IoT techniques.
P6 Create a detailed
test plan and examine
feedback.

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Pass Merit Distinction
LO4 Evaluate your IoT application and the problems it
might encounter when integrating into the wider IoT
ecosystem

P7 Review the IoT M6 Compare the final D3 Critically evaluate the

application, detailing application with the overall success of the
the problems it solves. original plan. application including the
P8 Investigate the potential impact of the IoT
potential problems the application on people,
IoT application might business and society, and
encounter when the end user.
integrating into the wider
system.

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Recommended Resources

Textbooks
Bahga, A. and Madisetti, V. (2014) Internet of Things: A Hands-On
Approach. 1st edn. VPT.
McEwen, A. (2013) Designing the Internet of Things. 1st edn. John Wiley and Sons.

Links
This unit links to the following related units:
Unit 21: Application Program Interfaces
Unit 47: Emerging Technologies.

Pearson BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in

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Education Limited 2023