INTRODUCTION TO

INTERNET OF THINGS

ECE-429T

MADE BY-
DR. PRIYANKA GUPTA
 Hardware for IoT
• IoT hardware includes physical components that enable communication, such as
sensors, computer chips, actuators, and smart gadgets. When building IoT (Internet of
Things) systems, various hardware components are essential for collecting data,
processing information, and enabling communication between devices. Here’s an overview
of the key hardware components typically used in IoT systems:

1. Sensors:Sensors are critical for data collection, allowing IoT devices to monitor
environmental conditions or specific phenomena.

● Types of Sensors:
○ Temperature Sensors (e.g., DS18B20, DHT11/DHT22)
○ Pressure Sensors (e.g., BMP180, MPX5010)
○ Light Sensors (e.g., BH1750, TSL2561)
○ Humidity Sensors (e.g., DHT22, SHT3x)
○ Proximity and Distance Sensors (e.g., HC-SR04, VL53L0X)
○ Motion and Orientation Sensors (e.g., MPU-6050, ADXL345)
○ Gas Sensors (e.g., MQ-2, CCS811)
○ Vibration Sensors (e.g., SW-420, ADXL355)
 Hardware for IoT
2. Actuators

Actuators are devices that perform actions in response to signals from controllers or sensors. They can control physical systems or devices.

● Examples:

Motors (DC motors, servo motors), Relays (for switching high voltage devices), Solenoids (for linear actuation), LEDs (for visual
indicators), Valves (for controlling fluid flow)
 Hardware for IoT

3. Microcontrollers and Microprocessors

These are the brains of IoT devices, processing data and controlling sensors and actuators.

● Microcontrollers:
○ Arduino (e.g., Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano)
○ ESP8266/ESP32 (for Wi-Fi connectivity)
○ STM32 (for more complex applications)
● Microprocessors:
○ Raspberry Pi (for more computational power and versatility)
○ BeagleBone (for advanced applications)
 Hardware for IoT

Feature Microprocessor Microcontroller

Definition A CPU on a single chip that A compact integrated circuit

performs processing tasks. designed for specific control
applications.

Architecture Typically complex (e.g., Usually simpler (e.g., AVR,

x86, ARM). PIC, ARM Cortex-M).

Processing Power Generally higher processing Lower processing power;

power and speed; capable optimized for specific tasks.
of multi-tasking.
 Hardware for IoT

Memory No built-in memory; requires Includes built-in RAM, ROM

external RAM and ROM. (or Flash), and EEPROM.

Definition Requires a more complex Easier to develop for; often

development environment; uses integrated
typically involves development environments
programming languages like (IDEs) and supports
C, C++, or assembly. high-level programming
languages.
 Hardware for IoT
4. Communication Modules

These modules enable IoT devices to communicate with each other and with central
servers or clouds.

● Wi-Fi Modules:
○ ESP8266: Low-cost Wi-Fi module for internet connectivity.
○ ESP32: More advanced with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.
● Bluetooth Modules:
○ HC-05/HC-06: Widely used for short-range wireless communication.
● LoRa Modules:
○ RFM95/RFM96: For long-range, low-power communication.
● Zigbee Modules:
○ XBee: Used for creating mesh networks in IoT applications.
● Cellular Modules:
○ SIM800/SIM900: For IoT devices that require GSM/GPRS
connectivity.
 Hardware for IoT
5. Power Supply Components

Power management is crucial for the operation of IoT devices, especially those that are
battery-operated.

● Batteries: Li-ion, Li-Po, or AA batteries for portable devices.

● Power Management ICs: For optimizing power consumption.
● Solar Panels: For renewable energy applications in remote IoT systems.

6. Data Storage

Data storage components are necessary for saving collected data, either locally or in the
cloud.

● SD Cards: For local data storage.

● EEPROM/Flash Memory: For non-volatile memory storage in microcontrollers.
● Cloud Storage Solutions: To store data remotely and access it over the internet.
 Hardware for IoT
7. Enclosures and Mounting Hardware

Protective enclosures are vital for housing IoT devices, especially in outdoor or industrial
environments.

● Materials: Plastic, metal, or waterproof enclosures.

● Mounting Hardware: Brackets, screws, and other fixtures for installation.

8. Development Boards

These are pre-configured boards that combine various components for easier prototyping.

● Examples:
○ Arduino Starter Kits: Include sensors, actuators, and a microcontroller.
○ Raspberry Pi Kits: Include a Raspberry Pi, power supply, and accessories
for easy setup.
Analog sensors and Digital sensors
 Digital sensors

Digital sensors convert physical parameters (such as temperature, light, pressure, etc.) into digital signals (usually binary) that can
be easily processed by microcontrollers or other digital devices. They provide accurate measurements and often integrate additional
features, such as signal conditioning and calibration.

Types of Digital Sensors

1. Temperature Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ DS18B20: A digital temperature sensor that provides 9 to 12 bits of temperature measurement and
communicates via a 1-Wire interface.
■ DHT11/DHT22: Humidity and temperature sensors that provide digital output.
○ Applications: Environmental monitoring, HVAC systems, and smart home devices.
2. Pressure Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ BMP180: A digital barometric pressure sensor that provides high-precision altitude and pressure data.
■ MPX5010: A sensor that measures differential pressure and outputs a digital signal.
○ Applications: Weather stations, altitude measurement, and industrial applications.
 Digital sensors

3. Light Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ BH1750: A digital light intensity sensor that communicates via I2C and measures ambient light in lux.
■ TSL2561: A digital light sensor that can measure visible and infrared light.
○ Applications: Smart lighting, automatic brightness adjustment in displays, and environmental monitoring.
4. Humidity Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ DHT22: Measures both temperature and humidity and outputs digital data.
■ SHT3x: Provides high-accuracy humidity and temperature measurements via I2C.
○ Applications: HVAC systems, greenhouses, and weather stations.
5. Proximity and Distance Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ HC-SR04: An ultrasonic distance sensor that provides distance measurements in digital format.
■ VL53L0X: A time-of-flight ranging sensor that provides accurate distance measurements.
○ Applications: Robotics, automotive safety systems, and industrial automation.
 Digital sensors

6. Motion and Orientation Sensors:

○ Examples:
■ MPU-6050: An accelerometer and gyroscope that provides digital readings for motion detection.
■ ADXL345: A digital accelerometer with a built-in low-power mode.
○ Applications: Wearable devices, gaming controllers, and navigation systems.
7. Gas Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ MQ-2: A gas sensor that detects various gases (e.g., LPG, smoke, CO) and provides a digital signal.
■ CCS811: An air quality sensor that measures eCO2 and TVOC levels.
○ Applications: Air quality monitoring, industrial safety, and environmental monitoring.
8 Vibration Sensors:
○ Examples:
■ SW-420: A digital vibration sensor that outputs a high signal when vibration is detected.
■ ADXL355: A low-power accelerometer suitable for vibration monitoring.
○ Applications: Machinery monitoring, earthquake detection, and structural health monitoring.
 Digital sensors

Features of Digital Sensors

● Accuracy: Digital sensors typically provide high

accuracy and resolution, making them suitable for
precise measurements.
● Ease of Integration: They often have standardized
communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART), making
it easier to connect to microcontrollers and IoT
platforms.
● Noise Immunity: Digital signals are less susceptible to
noise compared to analog signals, resulting in more
reliable data transmission.
● Built-in Calibration: Many digital sensors come with
built-in calibration, reducing the need for external
calibration processes.
 Actuators

Actuators are devices that convert energy into mechanical motion, enabling
control and automation in various applications. In other words,it’s a devices that
convert energy (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic) into mechanical motion.

Types:

● Electrical: Use electric energy (e.g., motors, solenoids).

● Hydraulic: Use pressurized fluid (e.g., hydraulic cylinders).
● Pneumatic: Use compressed air (e.g., pneumatic cylinders).
● Mechanical: Use mechanical systems (e.g., linear actuators, gear
motors).

Motion Type: Can provide linear (straight-line) or rotary (circular) motion.

Applications:

● Robotics: Movement in robotic arms and joints.

● Automotive: Systems like power steering and brakes.
● Home Automation: Smart devices like automated blinds and locks.
 Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is a key component of

the Internet of Things (IoT), facilitating the automatic identification and
tracking of tags attached to objects. RFID consists of a reader and a tag;
the reader emits radio waves to communicate with the tag, which contains
information that can be read without line-of-sight.

RFID technology consists of following main components:

1. RFID Tags: These are small devices that store data about the
object they are attached to.
2. RFID Reader: The reader sends a signal to the tag and receives
the data stored on the tag. It can be a fixed device, such as in a
warehouse, or mobile, like handheld scanners.
3. Antenna: Antennas are used to communicate between the tag and
the reader, facilitating the transmission of radio signals.
4. Backend System: Processes data collected by the reader.
 Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology

RFID Frequency Ranges: There are three frequency ranges used in RFID:

● Low Frequency (LF): 30–300 kHz, suitable for short-range (up to 10 cm) applications.
● High Frequency (HF): 3–30 MHz, typically used for short-to-medium range (up to 1 m).
● Ultra-High Frequency (UHF): 300 MHz–3 GHz, with a range of up to 12 meters, widely used for inventory tracking.

Types of RFID Tags:

● Passive Tags: Do not have an internal power source, rely on the energy transmitted by the reader's signal used due to low cost.
● Active Tags: Have an internal battery that powers the tag and enables longer read ranges. These are used in environments where
long-distance tracking is required.
● Semi-Passive Tags: Have a battery to power the circuitry but rely on the reader’s signal for communication.

3. Applications of RFID in IoT:

● Supply Chain and Inventory Management: RFID tags are extensively used to track goods in warehouses to manage inventory
Retail and Contactless Payment: Retailers use RFID to streamline checkout processes and for anti-theft systems.
● Healthcare: RFID tags are used to track medical equipment, monitor patients, and ensure the authenticity of medications.
 ● application of RFID technology as a key enabler for IoT devices, enabling machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and
streamlining data collection without human intervention.
● RFID's has integration with IoT protocols and standards, such as MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) and CoAP
(Constrained Application Protocol). These protocols are essential for the lightweight, efficient communication necessary for IoT
networks involving RFID.

3. RFID Standards and Protocols

There are several standards and protocols that govern the use of RFID in IoT:

● EPCglobal standards: These are widely adopted for RFID in supply chain management.
● ISO/IEC standards: For international standardization, particularly the ISO/IEC 18000 series, which defines air interface protocols for
RFID communication in different frequency bands.
 Wireless sensor networks

WSN are a key element in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. A Wireless Sensor Network consists of spatially distributed
autonomous sensors that monitor environmental or physical conditions, such as temperature, sound, pressure, or pollutants, and
cooperatively pass their data through the network to a central location or base station.

1. Components of WSNs:
○ Sensor Nodes: These are the individual sensors that collect data from the environment. A typical sensor node consists of
a sensing unit, processing unit, transceiver, and power source (often batteries).
○ Base Station (Sink): The base station collects data from sensor nodes and processes it. The processed information is
then transmitted to an end-user via the internet or other communication networks.
○ Gateway: Acts as a bridge between sensor nodes and the base station, particularly when long-range communication is
needed.
2. Network Architecture: WSNs typically have a multi-hop architecture:
○ Sensor nodes do not transmit data directly to the base station but through other intermediate nodes.
○ This ensures energy-efficient data transmission, as sensor nodes can have limited power (battery-powered).
 3 Communication Protocols in WSNs: WSNs require specialized communication protocols that account for the limited power, memory,
and processing capabilities of sensor nodes. These protocols focus on energy efficiency and reliable data transmission. Some key
protocols include:
○ LEACH (Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy): A hierarchical protocol that reduces energy consumption by rotating
cluster heads and minimizing the distance of communication between nodes.
○ SPIN (Sensor Protocols for Information via Negotiation): Nodes negotiate data transmission to ensure that only necessary
information is sent, reducing redundant data transmissions.
○ Directed Diffusion: A data-centric protocol where data queries are propagated from the sink, and data is aggregated and
transmitted back.

WSNs in IoT Applications

1. Environmental Monitoring:

WSNs are widely used for monitoring environmental parameters like air quality, temperature, humidity, and pollution levels in real-time. This is
particularly useful in agriculture (precision farming), forest fire detection, and disaster management (such as early flood detection).
2. Smart Homes and Smart Cities:

WSNs are crucial in enabling smart homes and cities by connecting devices that monitor energy usage, detect motion, or monitor structural
health in buildings. In smart cities, WSNs are used for applications like:

● Traffic monitoring
● Waste management
● Public safety and surveillance

3. Healthcare:

WSNs play a vital role in healthcare applications, especially in remote patient monitoring. Wearable sensors can collect physiological data
(e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) and send it to healthcare providers, enabling real-time monitoring of patients outside hospital settings.

4. Industrial Automation:

In industries, WSNs enable the monitoring of machinery, equipment, and systems in real time. They help in predictive maintenance by
identifying issues before they lead to failure, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.
 Challenges in WSNs

1. Energy Efficiency: Sensor nodes are often battery-powered, and replacing or recharging batteries in remote locations can be difficult.
Therefore, energy-efficient protocols and hardware are crucial for prolonging the network's life.

2. Scalability: As the number of sensor nodes increases, managing communication and ensuring data accuracy becomes challenging.
Scalability is a significant factor in large-scale deployments.

3. Security: WSNs are vulnerable to attacks, such as node tampering, data interception, and jamming. Ensuring secure communication and
data integrity is vital, especially in critical applications like healthcare and industrial monitoring.

4. Data Aggregation and Fusion: In WSNs, data is often collected from multiple nodes and must be aggregated to reduce redundancy and
optimize transmission.
Protocols and Standards

● Zigbee: A low-power, low-data-rate wireless

communication protocol commonly used in
WSNs for smart homes and industrial
applications.
● 6LoWPAN: IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless
Personal Area Networks is used to enable IPv6
communication in constrained environments like
WSNs.
● LoRaWAN: A long-range, low-power wireless
protocol designed for large-scale IoT
applications, particularly for connecting
low-power sensors over large distances.
● WSNs must interact with other devices and
systems across different layers, including
application, transport, and network layers, using
open standards and protocols.
 Participatory sensing technology

It leverages data collected by individuals through their mobile devices, such as smartphones and wearable sensors, to monitor and analyze
various phenomena in real-time. In this approach, ordinary citizens play an active role in data gathering, sharing their observations or sensor
data with a central system. This technology is closely related to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), as it
utilizes the sensing capabilities of personal devices to crowdsource information from a large number of participants.

1. Crowdsourcing of Data:
○ In participatory sensing, the general public or specific groups of people collect data from their environment using sensors
embedded in their smartphones, wearable devices, or other IoT-enabled gadgets.
○ Users might collect data on air quality, traffic conditions, noise levels, or even personal health metrics (like heart rate or activity
levels). This data is then uploaded to a central server or cloud infrastructure, where it is aggregated, processed, and analyzed.
2. Types of Sensing:
○ Opportunistic Sensing: Data is collected passively by devices without active input from users. For example, GPS data,
accelerometer readings, or Wi-Fi signal strength might be collected automatically from a smartphone.
○ Participatory Sensing: In this case, users actively engage in data collection by performing specific tasks, such as taking
photos, filling out surveys, or making direct observations. This requires conscious effort from participants.
 Participatory sensing technology

3 Mobile and Wearable Devices as Sensors:

○ Modern smartphones and wearables are equipped with numerous
sensors (e.g., GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone, camera)
that can capture a variety of data.
○ Participatory sensing leverages these devices as a distributed network
of sensors, reducing the need for dedicated infrastructure and making it
scalable across large geographic areas.
4 Data Aggregation and Analysis:
○ The data collected by individuals is aggregated in a cloud or central
server. Advanced algorithms and machine learning models can then
analyze this data to generate insights or predictions.
○ In many cases, participatory sensing systems must address issues of
data heterogeneity (as different users may contribute different types of
data) and data quality (as the accuracy of data can vary between
devices).
 Embedded Platforms for IoT: Embedded computing basics
Embedded systems combine hardware and software to perform specific,
real-time tasks.It is dedicated computer system designed to perform a
specific function or task within a larger system. In IoT, embedded systems
are central to smart devices, where they collect sensor data, process
information, and enable communication with other devices.

Core Components of an Embedded System:

● Microcontroller or Microprocessor: Acts as the "brain" of the

embedded system, controlling tasks and processing data.
● Memory: Stores the program and data necessary for the
microcontroller to operate (e.g., RAM and flash memory).
● Input/Output Interfaces: Interfaces that allow the system to interact
with the external environment (e.g., sensors, actuators).
● Power Supply: Provides the necessary energy to run the system,
typically from batteries or an external power source.
● Communication Modules: In IoT, embedded systems need to
communicate wirelessly, so modules like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee,
or LoRaWAN are often integrated.
 Embedded Platforms for IoT: Embedded computing basics

Embedded systems can be broadly classified as:

● Real-Time Systems: These systems process data in real time, which is critical for time-sensitive IoT applications such as
healthcare monitoring or industrial automation.
● Stand-Alone Systems: These function independently but may still communicate with other devices or a central server in an IoT
network.

2. IoT Embedded Platforms

● Raspberry Pi: A popular low-cost, single-board computer that provides a Linux environment and is widely used for IoT prototyping
and development.
● Arduino: A microcontroller-based platform known for its simplicity and large community. It's commonly used for smaller IoT
projects and sensor-based applications.
● ESP8266/ESP32: These are highly affordable Wi-Fi-enabled microcontrollers, making them ideal for IoT projects that require
wireless communication.
● BeagleBone: Another single-board computer that provides more processing power compared to Arduino, often used in more
complex IoT applications.
 Embedded Platforms for IoT: Embedded computing basics

3. Embedded Software for IoT

Embedded software or firmware is the code that runs on embedded systems, controlling the hardware and managing communication
between sensors and other devices. In IoT systems, embedded software must manage tasks like:

● Data acquisition from sensors

● Data processing and filtering
● Power management to ensure efficiency and prolong battery life
● Wireless communication to send data to the cloud or other devices

4. Popular embedded operating systems for IoT include

● Contiki: A lightweight operating system designed for low-power devices in IoT, particularly focusing on wireless sensor networks
(WSNs).
● FreeRTOS: An open-source, real-time operating system that is widely used in embedded systems, offering features like task
scheduling, timers, and event handling.
● RIOT OS: An open-source operating system designed for constrained IoT devices, focusing on efficient power consumption and
memory usage.
 Embedded Platforms for IoT: Embedded computing basics

Key Characteristics of Embedded IoT Platforms:

● Low Power Consumption: Since many IoT devices are battery-powered, minimizing power consumption is crucial to extending
device life. Embedded platforms must use efficient sleep modes, power management techniques, and optimized protocols.
● Real-Time Processing: Many IoT applications require real-time data processing (e.g., monitoring health metrics or environmental
conditions). The embedded platform must ensure quick response times and real-time task execution.
● Wireless Communication: Embedded platforms for IoT must support a variety of communication protocols, including Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT. The platform should enable devices to connect to the internet and communicate with
other devices seamlessly.
● Security: Since IoT devices are often deployed in sensitive environments, security is a primary concern. Embedded systems must
support encryption, secure boot, authentication, and other security measures to protect against attacks.

5. Popular Embedded Platforms for IoT:

● ARM Cortex-M Series: This family of processors is widely used in embedded systems for IoT. They are designed for low-power
applications and support a wide range of peripherals and connectivity options.
● Intel Galileo: An embedded platform based on Intel architecture, suitable for more resource-intensive IoT applications, combining
x86 compatibility with flexibility.
 Embedded Platforms for IoT: Embedded computing basics

● Qualcomm Snapdragon: While primarily known for mobile phones, Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors are also used in
embedded IoT devices requiring high computational power, such as smart cameras and drones.

6. IoT Protocols and Communication Technologies

● MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport): A lightweight messaging protocol designed for low-bandwidth, high-latency
networks, making it ideal for resource-constrained IoT devices.
● CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol): A protocol that allows low-power devices to communicate over IP networks. It is
optimized for devices with limited memory and processing power.
● Zigbee, BLE, and Z-Wave: These are low-power wireless communication standards widely used in embedded IoT devices,
particularly for smart home applications.
● LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) technologies like LoRa and NB-IoT provide long-range communication for
battery-powered IoT devices in applications like agriculture, smart cities, and industrial monitoring.
 Embedded Platforms for IoT: Embedded computing basics

7. Embedded Hardware for IoT

Applications

● Environmental monitoring
systems might use
energy-harvesting sensors that
operate with minimal energy and
send data via LoRaWAN to ensure
long battery life.
● Healthcare IoT devices would
focus on low-power microcontrollers
with real-time monitoring
capabilities to handle patient data
and ensure reliable performance.
Overview of IOT supported Hardware platforms such as Arduino, NetArduino, Raspberry pi, Beagle
Bone, Intel Galileo boards and ARM cortex.
Each of these platforms serves different needs based on the complexity, processing power, and IoT application requirements.Arduino,
Netduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Intel Galileo boards, and ARM Cortex involves understanding their capabilities, use cases, and
suitability for different IoT applications. These hardware platforms enable IoT devices to sense, process, and communicate data in a
wide range of environments.

1. Arduino

The Arduino platform is one of the most widely used microcontroller platforms in IoT projects, particularly for beginners and hobbyists.
It's open-source, easy to use, and has a large community of developers contributing libraries, tutorials, and hardware add-ons.

● Microcontroller: Arduino boards are based on simple microcontrollers like the ATmega328.
● Connectivity: Arduino doesn't have built-in wireless capabilities but can be expanded with add-on shields (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
Zigbee, GSM modules).
● Programming: Arduino is programmed using the Arduino IDE, a simplified environment using C/C++.
● Applications: Ideal for small IoT applications like smart homes, wearables, and basic sensor networks due to its simplicity and
low cost.
Overview of IOT supported Hardware platforms such as Arduino, NetArduino, Raspberry pi, Beagle
Bone, Intel Galileo boards and ARM cortex.

2. Netduino

Netduino is similar to Arduino but runs the .NET Micro Framework, which
makes it a preferred platform for developers familiar with Microsoft
technologies.

● Microcontroller: Powered by ARM Cortex-M chips.

● Connectivity: Like Arduino, Netduino boards rely on add-on
modules for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication.
● Programming: Netduino is programmed in C# using Microsoft’s
Visual Studio, offering a higher-level programming environment than
Arduino’s C/C++.
● Applications: Netduino is ideal for developers in the Microsoft
ecosystem, focusing on IoT projects that benefit from the .NET
framework’s power.
Overview of IOT supported Hardware platforms such as Arduino, NetArduino, Raspberry pi, Beagle
Bone, Intel Galileo boards and ARM cortex.

3. Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized single-board computer (SBC) that runs a full Linux
operating system (OS) and offers far more processing power than microcontroller-based boards
like Arduino.

● Processor: Raspberry Pi uses ARM Cortex-A processors, typically quad-core for newer
models, giving it the ability to run a full operating system (Linux-based OS like Raspbian).
● Connectivity: Built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth make Raspberry Pi highly versatile
for IoT projects.
● Programming: Raspberry Pi supports multiple programming languages (Python, C, Java,
etc.) and development environments, providing more flexibility than microcontroller-based
platforms.
● Applications: Used in more computationally intensive IoT applications, such as smart
gateways, real-time data processing, and edge computing in smart homes, smart cities,
and industrial IoT systems.
Overview of IOT supported Hardware platforms such as Arduino, NetArduino, Raspberry pi, Beagle
Bone, Intel Galileo boards and ARM cortex.

4. BeagleBone

BeagleBone is another open-source single-board computer similar to Raspberry Pi but designed for
more industrial and professional IoT projects. It’s preferred for applications requiring higher levels of
input/output (I/O) processing or real-time control.

● Processor: Typically uses ARM Cortex-A processors, similar to Raspberry Pi but with more
flexible I/O and real-time control.
● Connectivity: BeagleBone Black and other variants come with built-in Ethernet and can
support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth through add-ons.
● Programming: BeagleBone supports various programming languages, including Python, C,
and JavaScript, and runs Linux-based operating systems.
● Applications: Ideal for applications that require direct hardware interfacing, such as robotics,
automation, and industrial control systems. Its wide range of GPIO (General Purpose
Input/Output) pins make it suitable for hardware interfacing projects.
Overview of IOT supported Hardware platforms such as Arduino, NetArduino, Raspberry pi, Beagle
Bone, Intel Galileo boards and ARM cortex.

5. Intel Galileo

Intel Galileo was Intel’s entry into the IoT development space, designed to bridge the gap between
microcontroller-based systems like Arduino and full-fledged computers like Raspberry Pi.

● Processor: Intel Galileo boards use Intel Quark SoCs (System on Chip), which are compatible
with the Intel x86 architecture.
● Connectivity: Features onboard Ethernet and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, making it
suitable for IoT applications that require network connectivity.
● Programming: Supports the Arduino IDE and is compatible with Arduino shields, while also
supporting higher-level operating systems like Linux.
● Applications: Suitable for IoT applications requiring moderate processing power, such as
environmental monitoring, home automation, and educational projects.
● Compatibility of Intel Galileo with both Arduino shields and x86 architecture, offering flexibility for
developers looking to leverage existing Arduino-based libraries and projects in higher-level IoT
applications.
Overview of IOT supported Hardware platforms such as Arduino, NetArduino, Raspberry pi, Beagle
Bone, Intel Galileo boards and ARM cortex.

6. ARM Cortex

ARM Cortex processors are widely used across various IoT platforms due to their efficiency, low power
consumption, and scalable performance. These processors are found in everything from low-power
microcontrollers to high-performance single-board computers.

● ARM Cortex-M: These are microcontroller units (MCUs) used in low-power embedded systems
like Arduino, Netduino, and other IoT development boards. They are well-suited for real-time tasks
and sensor-based data collection in IoT applications.
● ARM Cortex-A: These processors are found in more powerful single-board computers like
Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone. They support running full operating systems like Linux and Android, ARM CORTEX-A9
enabling complex IoT applications like edge computing, media processing, and advanced data
analytics.
● ARM Cortex’s widespread use in IoT due to its power efficiency, which is critical for
battery-powered IoT devices. The modular nature of the ARM architecture allows it to be used
across different device classes, from simple sensor nodes to smart gateways.
 Comparison of IoT Hardware Platforms

● Processing Power: Platforms like Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone are better suited for IoT projects that require substantial
computing power and can handle tasks like edge computing or video processing, whereas Arduino and Netduino are more suited
for simple, low-power sensing applications.
● Connectivity: While platforms like Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone have built-in wireless capabilities, boards like Arduino and
Netduino require external shields or modules to support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee communication.
● Programming Ease: Arduino and Netduino are ideal for beginners and hobbyists due to their simple IDEs and extensive
community support. Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone provide more flexibility but require more advanced knowledge of Linux
systems and networking.
● Use Cases:
○ Arduino: Basic sensor-driven IoT applications, prototyping.
○ Netduino: IoT applications that integrate well with Microsoft’s .NET ecosystem.
○ Raspberry Pi: Data-intensive tasks, edge computing, multimedia, and smart home hubs.
○ BeagleBone: Industrial automation, robotics, and projects requiring real-time processing and extensive hardware
interfacing.
○ Intel Galileo: Applications that need both Arduino compatibility and higher-level computing power.
○ ARM Cortex: Embedded in many IoT platforms and offering scalability for a range of applications, from simple sensors to
smart devices with full operating systems.