Lecture Notes: Basics of Internet of Things (IoT)

Introduction to IoT

• Overview of fundamental concepts behind IoT
• Basic technologies and connectivity devices required for IoT
• Understanding how IoT systems are created

Motivation for IoT

• Anticipated future where all physical objects will be interconnected
• Current internet connects computers and computing devices
• IoT aims to expand this connectivity to all physical objects (e.g., lights, appliances)

Vision of IoT

• Interconnectivity of everyday items and devices
• Enhanced services for society and businesses through IoT technology
• Objects fitted with embedded systems and electronics act as nodes in IoT
• Formation of a massive network beyond the current internet

Smart Homes and Cities

• IoT as a building block for smart homes and smart cities
• Development of smart infrastructure globally
• Enabling technologies to create smarter environments

Connectivity Technologies

• Use of wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, Zigbee
• Challenges in connecting a vast number of devices (predicted to exceed 20 billion)

Approaches to IoT

1. Expanding the Current Internet: Connecting physical objects to the existing internet.
2. Building a Separate Network: Creating a new internetwork for physical objects from scratch.

• Each approach poses its own set of challenges.

Key Enabling Technologies for IoT

• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
• Sensors and actuators
• Networking devices and communication systems
• Emerging interest in nanotechnology (e.g., Internet of Nano Things)

Characteristics of IoT Systems

• Efficiency in serving application requirements
• Scalability to accommodate billions of devices
• Unambiguous naming and addressing architecture
• Low power resource requirements for nodes
• Mobility of devices and network segments
• Intermittent connectivity issues (Opportunistic Mobile Networks)

Application Domains for IoT

• Manufacturing and Business: Supply chain management, automation
• Healthcare: Remote monitoring, electronic record-keeping
• Retail: Inventory tracking, consumer analytics
• Security: Biometric recognition, remote sensors

Evolution of Interconnectivity

• Historical development: From ATMs to smart meters, digital locks, and smart vehicles
• Modern applications: Smart cities, smart healthcare, smart dust.

Future of IoT

• Expected to comprise trillions of sensors and billions of smart systems
• Increasingly interconnected and synchronized operation of devices
• Applications across various sectors including agriculture, transportation, and environmental monitoring

Summary

• IoT encompasses a vast array of technologies and applications
• Importance of addressing challenges in connectivity, data management, and scalability
• Future lectures will delve into specific technologies and challenges in detail.

• Next Steps: Continued exploration of the introduction to IoT in forthcoming lectures.