Internet of Things (IOT): Need of Future

What is IOT?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of various physical devices which are interrelated, connected with each other through internet and are capable enough to collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human interference.

Source: freeCodeCamp

How IOT works?

IoT devices include sensors, processors and mini-computers which are connected to Internet and execute on the data collected through various wireless sensors with the help of machine learning. Machine learning is a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that helps the computer or system to learn, collect data from their environment and provides ability to improve from experience without any prior programming. IOT devices are more susceptible to virus, malware and hacking.       

                                                                                                                           

Architecture of IOT

IoT architecture is the combination of various elements such as sensors, actuators, cloud services, and layers. Internet of Things architecture layers are segregated in order to manage the working analytically. The planning of all constraints is mandatory before IoT architecture working starts. Majorly, IoT architecture consists of:

1. The client side which is comprised of IoT Device Layer

2. Operators on the server side i.e. IoT Gateway Layer

3. A pathway for linking clients and operators i.e. IoT Platform Layer

Main Stages in the IoT Architecture

1. Sensors and actuators

2. Data Acquisition Systems and Internet gateways

3. Edge IT

4. Data centre and cloud.

Stage 1: Wireless sensors and Actuators

Sensors have ability to convert acquired information into data which may be further used for analysis. Wireless sensors include embedded systems such as RFID tags, readers and other sensors which are used to collect and transfer information. Actuators have ability to sense physical reality eg. Switching off of the equipments and sensing of temperature.

 

Stage 2: Data acquisition system & Internet Gateway

Data which is sensed and collected is raw one and also contains unwanted database. Data acquisition is nothing but sampling the physical real time conditions. Data acquisition systems convert analog data into digital values for processing. The Internet gateway receives the data in digitized form and with the help of Wi-Fi, wired LANs, or the Internet systems, transfers it further to process.

 

Stage 3: The appearance of edge IT systems

Edge IT systems perform improved analytics and pre-processing with the help of machine learning and visualization technologies. Even with this further processing may happen prior to the stage of the data centre. Stage 3 is closely correlated to the previous Stages in the building of architecture of IoT. The position of edge IT systems is close to the sensors and actuators, creating an electric wiring.

 

Stage 4: Analysis, Management, and Storage of data

The data centres are talented enough to analyze, handle, and store huge amounts of data. It is also much more secure to store it here.

 

Applications of IoT

1. Smart Home Applications
2. Health Care
3. Smart City
4. Agriculture
5. VANET

About Author:

Prof. Ashutosh Lanjewar is working as Assistant Professor in Department of Electronics & Telecommunications, JDCOEM. He is having more than 12 years of teaching experience. His areas of interest include Internet of Things, Adhoc Wireless Network and Digital Signal Processing.