INTRODUCTION TO

INTERNET OF THINGS

(IoT)

IT-4207B

Tesfay G.
 Chapter outline
 IoT sensors
 Components of sensor
 Types of sensors
 IoT sensor IDEs and tools
 Sensor systems
 Actuators
 Sensors
 Sensors are the interface between the physical and digital world

 They detect the physical quantities (temperature, humidity,

light, pressure, acceleration etc..) of the world and convert them
into electrical signals to be processed and analyzed to control
the devices or sensed environments.
 Generally, we can say that sensors are the eyes and ears of the
machine world.
 Sensors
 Components of sensor

o Sensor element (the core element that detect the physical

quantities)
o Signal conditioning circuitry (process the raw sensor signal,
amplify, filtering and converting it in to usable format.)
o Microcontroller ( small computer that controls the module’s
operations, process sensor data manage communication )
o Power supply ( provide power to the modules)
o Communication/Network interface (Enable them to transmit
data to other devices or systems
 Sensors
 Types of sensors

o Environmental sensors
 Temperature (thermistor, thermocouples and RTD)
 Humidity (capacitive and resistive humidity sensors)
 Light (photo resistor, photodiodes)
 Pressure (piezo resistive and capacitive)
 Gas (CO2, NO2, smoke detector)

o Motion sensors
 Accelerometers
 Gyroscope
 Magnetometers
 Inertial measurement units (combine accelerometers, gyroscopes, and
magnetometers for precise motion tracking)
 Sensors
 Types of sensors
o Image sensors
 Cameras (visual information such as images and videos)
o Sound/acoustic sensors
 Microphone ( convert sound waves into electrical signal)
o Distance sensors
 Ultrasonic sensors (emit/receive ultrasonic waves to measure distance.)
 Infrared sensors (emit and detect infrared light to measure distance or
proximity.)
 Time-of-flight sensors (measure distance based on the time it takes for
light to travel to and from an object.)
 Sensors
 IoT sensor IDEs and tools
o General-purpose IDEs
 Arduino IDE Used for various IoT projects, especially those involving
microcontrollers and it has simple interface and best for beginners.
 Visual studio A versatile code editor that can be customized with
extensions for IoT development. It supports a wide range of languages,
including C++, Python, and JavaScript, which are often used in IoT projects.
 Eclipse Can be configured for IoT development with plugins like the
Eclipse IoT Device Development Kit. It's suitable for complex projects and
offers advanced features like debugging and profiling.
 Sensors
 IoT sensor IDEs and tools
o IoT-specific IDEs
 Thinger.io A cloud-based IoT platform that provides a drag-and-drop
interface for building IoT applications. It integrates with various hardware
platforms and sensors, making it easy to create IoT projects without writing
complex code.
 Node-RED A flow-based programming tool that allows you to connect
hardware devices, APIs, and online services. It's ideal for creating IoT
applications that involve data visualization and control.
 Blynk A mobile and web app that allows you to control hardware devices
remotely. It provides a simple interface for creating dashboards and
controlling devices.
 Sensors
 IoT sensor IDEs and tools
o Choosing the right IDE
 Complexity of the project For simple projects, Arduino IDE or Blynk might
be sufficient. For more complex projects, Visual Studio Code or Eclipse are
better options.
 Programming language preference If you're comfortable with C++ or
Python, Visual Studio or Eclipse are good choices. If you prefer a more
visual approach, Node-RED or Thinger.io might be more suitable.
 Hardware platform The IDE should be compatible with the hardware
platform you're using, such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32.
 Cloud integration If you need to connect your project to the cloud,
consider IDEs that have built-in support for cloud platforms like AWS IoT
Core or Azure IoT Hub.
 Sensor systems
 They are networks of interconnected sensors that collect data from the
physical environment and transmit it to a central system for processing
and analysis.
 These systems are the foundation of many IoT applications, enabling us to
monitor and control various aspects of the world.
 Sensor systems
 Types of sensor systems
o Wired sensor systems (use cables to connect sensors to a central control unit
which suitable for applications where reliable and high-speed data
transmission is required.)
o Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) (use wireless communication to transmit
data between sensors and a central gateway and this is Ideal for remote and
inaccessible locations.)
o Hybrid sensor systems (combine wired and wireless components to optimize
performance and cost.)
 Actuators
 Actuators are an essential component of IoT systems, enabling
them to interact with the physical world.
 They receive commands from the IoT controller and convert them
into physical actions, making IoT devices act truly smart.
 Actuators…
 Types of actuators in IoT
o Electric motors (used to control various devices like fans, pumps, and robotic
arms. Examples: DC motors, stepper motors, and servo motors.)
o Solenoids (simple and efficient actuators that convert electrical energy into
mechanical work. They are used for opening/closing valves, switching relays, and
controlling locks.
o Pumps (essential for fluid control and distribution in IoT systems. Used in
irrigation systems, water treatment plants, and other applications
o Valves (control the flow of fluids or gases in various IoT systems. Examples: ball
valves, gate valves, and butterfly valves.)
 Actuators…
 Applications of actuators in IoT
o Smart homes
 Control lighting, temperature, and security systems.
 Open/close curtains, blinds, and doors.
 Adjust thermostat settings.
o Industrial automation
 Optimize production processes.
 Control robotic arms and conveyor belts.

 Monitor and adjust machinery.

 Actuators…
 Applications of actuators in IoT…
o Agriculture
 Automate irrigation systems.
 Control greenhouse environments.

 Monitor and adjust livestock feeding.

o Healthcare
 Remotely control medical devices.
 Automate drug delivery systems.
 Monitor patient vitals and adjust treatment accordingly.
 Actuators…
 Factors for actuator selection
o Power requirements (compatible with your IoT device's power source.
o Physical size and weight (consider the space and weight constraints of
your application.
o Speed and torque (select actuators that can provide the necessary speed
and torque for your application.
o Environmental factors (ensure that the actuator is suitable for the
operating environment (temperature, humidity, etc.))
o Connectivity (choose actuators that can communicate with the IoT
controller using appropriate protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee).
 NB: By Integrating actuators into your IoT systems, you can create
innovative and impactful solutions that improve our lives in countless
ways.