Unit 8
Unit 8
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolutionary technology that interconnects physical devices embedded with
sensors, software, and other technologies to communicate and exchange data over the internet.
1. Everything is Connected:
Devices like your phone, fridge, or car can talk to each other over the internet.
3. Smart Decisions:
Devices can think a little—processing data themselves or sending it to smarter systems to figure out what
to do.
4. Remote Control:
You can control devices (like turning on lights) even when you’re far away, using your phone or voice.
5. Growing Easily:
IoT systems can add more devices without breaking a sweat, like plugging more gadgets into a power strip.
6. Working Together:
Devices from different brands can still talk to each other if they follow common "rules."
7. Adapting Automatically:
Devices adjust to what’s happening, like your smart AC cooling more when the room is hot.
9. Saving Power:
Most IoT gadgets are designed to use as little energy as possible, like a smartwatch lasting days on a charge.
10. Self-Setup:
Devices are smart enough to set themselves up and get to work without you doing much.
Example to Relate:
Think of a smart home:
2. Commercial IoT
• What it is: IoT in business and public spaces to improve efficiency and services.
• Examples:
o Smart office buildings with automated lighting and temperature.
o Healthcare devices for patient monitoring in hospitals.
o Smart retail (e.g., tracking inventory and customer behavior).
• Purpose: Enhances customer experience and business operations.
4. Infrastructure IoT
• What it is: IoT for managing infrastructure in cities or rural areas.
• Examples:
o Monitoring bridges, roads, and railway tracks for wear and tear.
o Managing energy distribution in power grids.
o Smart water systems for leak detection.
• Purpose: Improves maintenance and resource efficiency.
8. Environmental IoT
• What it is: IoT used to monitor and protect the environment.
• Examples:
o Air quality sensors to detect pollution.
o Sensors for water quality monitoring.
o Wildlife tracking devices for conservation.
• Purpose: Promotes sustainability and environmental awareness.
2. Connectivity:
• Various communication protocols and technologies link IoT devices to systems, such as:
o Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave.
o Cellular Networks (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G).
o Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWANs) like LoRaWAN and SigFox.
o RFID and NFC for short-range communication.
3. Cloud Computing:
• Stores and processes large amounts of IoT-generated data.
• Enables remote access and scalability for data analysis and operations.
4. Edge Computing:
• Reduces latency by processing data closer to the source (e.g., locally on devices or networks).
• Enables real-time decision-making and decreases the load on central servers.
5. Security Technologies:
• Includes encryption, authentication, and secure device management to protect IoT ecosystems from
unauthorized access and data breaches.
6. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI):
• Analyzes IoT data for insights and intelligent decision-making.
• Powers predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and pattern recognition.
8.6 Sensors
Definition:
A sensor is a device that detects specific physical parameters (like temperature, pressure, light, etc.) and converts
them into signals suitable for processing (electrical, mechanical, optical, etc.). The output is often converted into a
human-readable form or used for further automated actions.
o Measures how much the sensor’s output changes in response to a unit change in input.
o Example: A speaker rated at 89 dB SPL per watt per meter.
2. Resolution:
o The smallest detectable change in the input that the sensor can accurately reflect.
o Example: A standard ruler or Vernier calipers.
3. Linearity:
o Indicates how closely the sensor's response matches a straight line when plotted.
o Determined by calibration curves.
4. Drift:
o Refers to deviations in sensor output over time at constant input.
o Includes zero drift (at zero input) and full-scale drift (at maximum input).
5. Range:
o Consistency of sensor readings under identical conditions over short time periods.
7. Reproducibility:
o Ability of the sensor to produce consistent results over long time intervals and multiple
measurements.
1. Temperature Sensors:
Actuators
Definition:
An actuator is a device or system that converts an electrical signal into physical action, such as movement, force, or
sound. It works in conjunction with sensors that detect environmental changes and generate control signals for the
actuators to perform the necessary actions.
Types of Actuators
Actuators are categorized based on the type of energy they use and the kind of motion they generate:
1. Electric Actuators:
o Linear Actuators: Produce straight-line motion by converting rotary motion from an electric motor
into linear movement.
▪ Applications: Door openers, solar panel adjustments, valve control.
o Rotary Actuators: Convert electrical energy into rotational motion.
▪ Applications: Robotics, conveyor systems, valve mechanisms.
2. Hydraulic Actuators:
o Linear Hydraulic Actuators: Use pressurized hydraulic fluid for linear motion.
▪ Applications: Heavy machinery, construction equipment.
o Rotary Hydraulic Actuators: Convert hydraulic power into rotational motion.
▪ Applications: Heavy load movement, steering systems.
3. Pneumatic Actuators:
(i) Arduino
Arduino is an open-source microcontroller platform designed for building digital devices and interactive systems. It
is widely used in IoT and embedded systems applications due to its simplicity and adaptability.
Key Features:
1. Microcontroller:
o Contains an Atmel AVR microcontroller, responsible for processing and controlling operations.
2. Analog and Digital Input/Output Pins:
o Allows connections to various sensors and actuators.
3. Easy Programming:
o Uses the Arduino IDE, a simple environment to write and upload programs (known as sketches) in
C/C++.
4. Open-Source Hardware:
o Designs are publicly available, enabling customization.
5. Wide Compatibility:
o Supports a variety of shields (add-on boards) for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other functionalities.
Applications in IoT/Cloud:
1. Sensor Integration:
o Collects data from sensors like temperature, humidity, and motion for IoT systems.
2. Data Transmission:
o Works with modules like Wi-Fi (ESP8266) or Bluetooth to send data to cloud platforms.
3. Automation Systems:
o Controls devices like lights, motors, and home appliances in IoT setups.
Example:
• A smart irrigation system: Arduino collects soil moisture data using a sensor and controls water pumps
based on the collected data.
(ii) Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable, and powerful single-board computer (SBC) that runs on Linux. It is often used in
IoT applications requiring higher computational power.
Key Features:
1. Full Computer Functionality:
o Equipped with a CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage (via SD card).
o Runs operating systems like Raspberry Pi OS (Linux-based).
2. GPIO Pins:
o General Purpose Input/Output pins for connecting sensors and actuators.
3. Connectivity:
o Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet for network communication.
4. Multimedia Support:
o Includes HDMI and USB ports, enabling integration with displays and peripherals.
5. Programming Languages:
o Supports Python, Java, C, and many others, making it highly versatile for IoT and cloud-based
projects.
Applications in IoT/Cloud:
1. Edge Computing:
o Performs data processing and analysis locally, reducing latency in IoT systems.
2. Gateway for IoT:
o Acts as a bridge between IoT devices and cloud platforms, handling data aggregation and
transmission.
3. Prototyping and Development:
o Used in building and testing complex IoT systems like home automation hubs, surveillance systems,
or weather stations.
Example:
• A weather monitoring station: Raspberry Pi collects data from sensors, processes it locally, and sends it to a
cloud platform for analysis and visualization.
Applications of IoT
• Smart homes, industrial automation, healthcare monitoring, connected vehicles, smart cities, agricultural
optimization, environmental monitoring, retail management, energy management, wearable technology.
Challenges of IoT
• Security and privacy risks, data management complexities, interoperability issues, high implementation
costs, scalability concerns, energy efficiency, network reliability, regulatory compliance, lack of
standardization, and skilled workforce shortage.