INTRODUCTION TO

INTERNET OF THINGS
(IOT)
UNIT -1
By

M Naresh Kumar
Asst.Prof., EECE,
GITAM Deemed University
AGENDA
 Definition of iot
 History, bit
 Application areas
 statistics
 Characteristics of iot
 Things in iot (what makes iot)
 ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
 ARCHITECTURE OF IOT
 IoT and SENSORS – AN Overview.
 Internet technology connecting devices, machines and
tools to the internet by means of wireless technologies.

 Over 9 billion ‘Things’ connected to the Internet, as of

now.

 ‘Things’ connected to the Internet are projected to cross

20 billion in the near future.

 Unification of technologies such as low-power embedded

systems, cloud computing, big-data, machine learning,
and networking.
ORIGIN OF TERMINOLOGY

 In the 2000s, we are heading into a new era of

ubiquity, where the “users” of the Internet will
be counted in billions and where humans may
become the minority as generators and
receivers of traffic. Instead, most of the traffic
will flow between devices and all kinds of
“things”, thereby creating a much wider and
more complex Internet of Things.
DEFINITION
 The Internet of Things (IoT)is the network of
physical objects that contain embedded
technology to communicate and sense or interact
with their internal states or the external
environment.

 Gartner Research
 Reference:http://www.gartner.com/it-glossary/internet-of-things/
 LETS DEFINE IOT…

“IoT
refers to the interconnection via the Internet of computing devices
embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data”
See the term, data!! Data is everything!!!

IEEE has a definition to enhance the understanding. IEEE defines IoT as “A network of items—
each embedded with sensors—which are connected to the Internet.”

Definition source: https://wallscope.co.uk/stories/article/internet-things-0

IOT MARKET SHARE

Source: Intel
Business/Manufacturing
 Real-time analytics of supply chains and equipment,
robotic machinery.

Healthcare
 Portable health monitoring, electronic recordkeeping,
pharmaceutical safeguards.

Retail
 Inventory tracking, smart phone purchasing, anonymous
analytics of consumer choices.

Security
 Biometric and facial recognition locks, remote sensors.
 Internet of things says is that the scope of this internet is
going to be expanded. So, it is going to be expanded beyond
computing and computer devices being connected.
 It is going to interconnect different things that physical objects
that we see around us, the different objects such as the
lighting system in a room, the lights, the fans, the air
conditioners and anything and everything including things
such as the toothbrush, the microwave oven, the refrigerator
and so on so forth and not only in our homes, but also in our
businesses such as internet working different machines,
internet working different equipment's and so on.
 So, each and everything that we see around us that we use at
our home in businesses, in workplaces, everything being
internet worked. So, this is the whole vision of internet work of
things, internet of things.
AN OVERVIEW
THE FLAVOUR OF THE INTERNET OF THINGS

Ex—1:
The alarm rings. As you open your eyes blearily,
you see that it’s five minutes later than your
usual wake-up time. The clock has checked the
train times online, and your train must be
delayed, so it lets you sleep in a little longer.

https://makezine.com/2007/08/28/my-train-
schedule-alarm-clock/
CONTD..
Ex-2:
In your kitchen, a blinking light reminds you it’s
time to take your tablets. If you forget, the
medicine bottle cap goes online and emails
your doctor to let her know.

Vitality GlowCap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHQBxFdMZ5A
CONTD..

Ex-3:
On your way out of the house, you catch a glow
in the corner of your eye. Your umbrella handle
is lit up, which means that it has checked the
BBC weather reports and predicts rain. You
sigh and pick it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4dLdvvannM
CONTD..
Ex-4:
As you pass the bus stop on the way to the
station, you notice the large LCD display flash that
the number 23 is due. It arrives when you turn the
next corner. When the bus company first installed
those displays, they ran on the expected timetable
information only, but now that every bus has GPS
tracking its location, they simply connect to the
bus company’s online service and always give the
updated information. Various transport
organizations have implemented this.
CONTD..
Ex-5:
Sunstar was one of the first in the
world to recognize and promote the
relationship of oral health and the
health of the whole body. This belief
lead us to develop unique top-quality
oral care products in collaboration
with dentists and medical
professionals from around the world.
While we have crafted a wide variety
of products, we were searching for
ways to help visualize and
encourage effective tooth brushing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJx3HsZyFMg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLPGJfZhPzw&t=350s
WHY-THE “INTERNET” OF “THINGS”

 All the above cases we saw used the Internet to send,

receive, or communicate information. And in each case, the
gadget that was connected to the Internet wasn’t a
computer, tablet, or mobile phone but an object, a Thing.

 These Things are designed for a purpose: the umbrella has

a retractable canopy and a handle to hold it.

 A bus display has to be readable to public transport users,

including the elderly and partially sighted and be able to
survive poor weather conditions and the risk of vandalism.
CONTD..
 So the idea of the Internet of Things suggests that
rather than having a small number of very powerful
computing devices in your life (laptop, tablet, phone,
music player), you might have a large number of
devices which are perhaps less powerful (umbrella,
bracelet, mirror, fridge, shoes).

 One of the very essential components of internet of

things is sensors and the other one is actuators.

 Whereas, the sensors basically sense the physical

phenomena that are occurring around them and the
actuators basically based on the sensed information.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “CONNECT AN OBJECT TO
THE INTERNET”? “SENSORS” AND “ACTUATORS”
AN EQUATION FOR THE INTERNET OF THINGS:
IT IS TIME TO UNDERSTAND HOW INTERNET HAS
OCCUPIED OUR LIFE …

 Reports suggest it all started in 1990

 300,000 desktop computers were connected to the internet.
 In 2000, it grew to 300 + million desktop computers (laptop too)
connected to internet.

 In 2016 (you guys can tell this!!) – about 2.5 billion mobile phones
are connected to internet!
CONTD.,

 In 2020, Refrigerators, kettles, water heaters, cameras, lights,

home equipment etc. all will get into internet and, trust me, it
would be 15 billion devices connected to the internet.
 About 4 billion navigation systems would be connected to internet.
(Connected cars would become a reality)
 About 500 Million wearables, watches, shoes etc. would be
connected to internet!
 100s of millions of implants in human/animals would talk to
internet.
 Hence… what can we expect??
ENCHANTED OBJECTS
 The best known of Arthur C. Clarke’s “three laws of
prediction” states

 Enchanted objects are everyday things that talk to us or

to each other, and in some ways make our lives better,
delight us, and give an emotional connection.

 Enchanted Objects are ordinary things, made

extraordinary.

 Enchanted Objects are ordinary things, augmented,

connected.

 https://enchantedobjects.com/
CONTD..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weTyZDNsOJo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_AhhhcceXk
WHO IS MAKING THE INTERNET OF THINGS?
CONTD...
 There are many crossover points between all the
disciplines listed.

 “builder of the Internet of Things”

 a hacker might tinker at the prototype for a Thing;

a software developer might write the online
component; a designer might turn the ugly
prototype into a thing of beauty, possibly invoking
the skills of a craftsperson, and an engineer might
be required to solve difficult technical challenges,
especially in scaling up to production
 CHARACTERISTICS OF IOT
1. Connectivity -- Things in iot should be connected to the infrastructure and connectivity is an
important character/requirement for an iot infra. Anyone, anywhere, anytime – connectivity
should be guaranteed in the iot infra. Without connection, nothing makes sense! (I say that,
things are connected and they need connectivity)
2. Intelligence and identity -- The extraction of knowledge (i.e. what is to be inferenced) from the
generated data is very important. Sensors generate data, the data is to be interpreted properly!
Each iot device has an unique identity (remember ip address). This identity is helpful in tracking
the equipment and at times to query the status.
3. Scalability – the number of things (devices) getting connected to iot infra is getting increased day
by day. Hence, an iot setup shall be capable to handle the massive expansion. Also, the data
generated shall be massive and it should be handled appropriately.
4. Dynamic and self adapting (complexity) – the iot devices should dynamically adapt itself to the
changing contexts. Assume a camera meant for surveillance. It may have to work in different
conditions as different light situations (morning, afternoon, night)
5. Architecture – architecture cannot be homogeneous in nature. It should be hybrid, supporting
different manufacturer's product to be in the iot network.
6. SAFETY - Having got all the things connected to internet, the personal data (if sensitive) is under
threat. Hence, securing the data is a major challenge . Not only data security, the equipment
getting involved in IoT network is huge. Hence, persona safety is also to be considered. PRIVACY
with PROTECTION!
THINGS IN INTERNET OF THINGS
 Things refer to variety of devices. Not
really just one device become things.
 At times, you and I are things! (Think,
How)
 Anything to qualify as a “THING” require
identity. (I told you this)
 The “thing” can monitor/measure etc.
means, a temperature sensor could be a
thing!
 Things are capable of exchanging data
(could be sharing) with other connected
devices in the infra.
 The data could be stored in a centralized
server (cloud computing), processed
there and a control action could be
initiated. The devices involved In getting
this accomplished are things!!!!
 CONTD.,
 Some of the famous things which you are
aware of:
 Temperature sensors
 Pressure sensors
 Humidity sensors etc.
 The data from above sensors are collected
(real time) and sent to the cloud.
(sometimes, it could be a local server)
 Based on the data analysis, the control
action would be taken.
 Example: switching off the water heater remotely,
when the water is heated as per requirement.
 Not just sensors, the following also can be
called as things.
 Industrial motors
 Wearables (your watch, band)
 Vehicles
 Shoes
 CONTD.,

 More things on the way!

1) Heart monitoring implants – PACE MAKER,

2) Biochip transponders (For ANIMALS IN FARMS)

3) Automobiles with built-in sensors

4) Food / perishables quality measuring.

So,

“Things”= HARDWARE + SOFTWARE + DATA +SERVICE

 THINGS IN AN EXAMPLE (HOME AUTOMATION)
a) control and automation of lighting
b) Ventilation,
c) air conditioning (HVAC - Heating,
ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC)) systems,
d) appliances such as washer/dryers,
e) air purifiers,
f) ovens or refrigerators/ freezers that
use Wi-Fi for remote monitoring.
g) Security Cameras
h) Smart Phones
 Home work: What could be the things in
smart retail environment? Guess!
 IOT STACK
Layer -1 : Physical or sensor Layer
 This Layer is concerned about
the physical components which
mainly include sensors.
 In this layer, the sensors are
the core component,
Temperature sensor, pressure
sensor, humidity sensor, etc…
can all be referred to as
physical layer components.
 Industrial automation- PLC,
actuator etc.. Are as physical
layer components.
 This layer is responsible for the
data collection.
Layer -2 : Processing and Control Action Layer
 This layer is very important, and
it comprises the core
components for IoT.
 The data is received by the
microcontrollers from the
sensors in this layer.
 Operating systems play a major
role too and Android, IoS, Linux
can very well execute the task.
 The data collected from the
sensors are processed here in
this layer and to determine if the
data is meaningful,
microcontroller should be
present
 Layer -3: Hardware Interface Layer

 Coming up in the stack is

hardware interface layer
 The hardware components
and communication
standards like RS232, CAN,
SPI, SCI, I2C, etc… occupy
this layer.
 All these components
ensure flawless
communication.
Layer -4 : RF Layer

 It plays a major role in the

communication channel.
 The protocols used for the
communication and transport of
the data based on RF are listed
under this layer.
 Protocols: Wi-Fi, NFC, RFID,
Bluetooth etc…
 This layer can also include Li-Fi
(Not dependents on RF), They
are effective alternate for the RF
protocols.
 Layer -5: Session/Message Layer

 Session management is
as important in IoT as it
is in general networking
which is guided by OSI
layer.
 There are protocols
which over-see how
messages are
broadcasted to the
cloud.
 This layer has MQTT,
CoAP etc…
Layer -6 : User Experience Layer

 This layer is fully concerned

with the end user experience.
 When a product is designed, it
should showcase rich UI
features and designs which
provide a pleasing experience
while using the
service/system or product.
 object-oriented programming
languages, scripting
languages, analytics tools
etic… all should be included in
this layer.
 Layer -7: Application Layer

 Everything comes to
perfection at this layer.
 Application layer talks
about the possible
applications which can
be built with the support
of rest of the layers.
 It can range from a
simple automation
application to smart city
application.
IOT LAYERS
IOT STACK - EXAMPLE

Architecture of smart vegetable tracking system using IoT

 ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
 As we have been repeatedly saying, IoT is a collection/group of many
technologies/devices.
 Starting from the simplest of sensors, embedded systems (the boards),
data analytics, mobile and mobile internet, security aspects, protocols
involved, cloud storage (computing) – all these become enabling
technologies.
 So, we have many devices/technologies coming into picture.

 Overall, we can understand that the enabling technologies/devices shall

fall under any of the following sections:
 Technologies help in acquiring data / sensing data

 Technologies that help in analysing data / processing data

 Technologies that help in taking control action

 Technologies that help in enhancing the security / privacy

CONTD.,

 Sensors:
 The home security systems use the camera and it is a sensor!
 Weather tracking system could use the temperature / humidity
/moisture sensors and the data could be analysed.
 Vehicle health monitoring sensors like speed, tyre pressure etc.
 On board Diagnosis for collecting all critical information from
the automobile to detect anomalies.
 Sensors to track the quality of the buildings/structures – vibration
sensors.
 Water quality monitoring through ph, turbidity, chloride level
detection using sensors.
 Pedestrian signal operation with human presence detection with
PIR sensor
 CONTD.,

 Cloud computing:
 Well, you guys know this better than me.
 All my data goes to adafruit cloud as it is
free  Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): Complete software
application as a service is provided to the user. (you
 Could be one of these: can call it application as a service as well, pay
monthly, yearly etc. as subscription)
 Iaas (infrastructure as a service)
 Paas (platform as a service) Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): Development tools,
 Saas (software as a service) APIs, libraries etc. will be provided by the cloud
service provider. Users have to build, manage and
 Some examples: maintain the applications (provides platform to
develop)
 Amazon web services
 Azure Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): Virtual Machines
kind of support. Users shall manage the machines.
 Adafruit and many more Users shall select the OS and underlying applications.
PAY as YOU use! (with IaaS approach, you choose
virtual machines over physical machines)
CONTD.,
 Big data – very big data!! (data analytics)
 Some make it 3vs. Some make it 4vs.
 1-Scale (Volume) – huge volume of data generated every minute! Storage has become cheaper, hence we survive!
 2-Complexity (Variety) – data is in different formats. Say audio, video, text, image and many more.
 3-Speed (Velocity) – rate at which data is generated is very fast. Also, change in the data dynamics is very high.
 4- data in doubt (veracity) – the data’s nature is getting changed quickly and ambiguity is seen (incomplete data)
 So, who here generate data?
 Sensors from the security system
 Sensors from weather monitoring system
 Sensors from the car / navigation system
 Sensors from water quality monitoring system
 Data from wearables (band)
 Data from industrial equipment (say, motor health)
 Sensors from bridges/roads about the traffic density etc.
 Social media (your tweet and my photo upload)
 so, data everywhere!
CONTD.,

 Embedded boards / systems

 This is very important and foremost!
 Mostly meant for prototyping. (even, productizing)
 Driven by Microcontrollers / processors
 Computing boards in market are really plenty!
 Raspberry pi
 Arduino (many variants)
 Node mcu
 Intel Edison
 Intel UP Squared* Grove* IoT Development Kit
 All these boards are so small, yet so smart! 
 Also, not very expensive!
 CONTD.,
 Protocols – a must know section
 Protocols for the communication is very vital and in fact is the pillar for good
iot infra.
 Data exchange happens through this protocols.
 Protocols takes care the following:
 Addressing
 Format of the messages
 Message security (encryption & decryption)
 Routing.
 Flow control.
 Error monitoring.
 Sequencing.
 Retransmission guidelines.
 Segmentation of the data packets.
 Protocols for link layer (Ethernet), network layer (ip), transport layer
(tcp/udp), application layer (mqtt, http, xmpp) are to be discussed.
 A detailed analysis of the protocols shall be presented soon! 
CONTD.,
 User interfaces
 Any device must have an intuitive user interface.
 Iot devices / services are finally to be used by the
end user and it should be designed in such a way
that, accessing and using the services are easier and
comfortable.
 Most of the cases, the end user shall be provided
with “mobile application or web app”. The
application should be consistent and should not be
clumsy.
IOT CHALLENGES
CHALLENGE – 1
SECURITY / PERSONNEL SAFETY

 Very high rated / most important challenge.

 More number of devices are used in the iot infra and this is a
challenge.
 User data could be vulnerable for theft.
 People’s personal safety is a concern an challenge too (implants,
sensors)
 Since, many devices are in the loop, one device if getting attacked, rest
of the devices could also be attacked.
 Poor security features can let the attackers damage the whole network.

DATA SECURITY PERSONNEL

SAFETY
 CHALLENGE – 2
PRIVACY

 you could be tracked / monitored by anyone, as you are connected 24x7 in

the internet.
 you could be tracked without your permission in place.
 So, there is a threat! – How do we deal with it ? It is a challenge for sure!

I NEED PRIVACY
CHALLENGE – 3
DATA EXTRACTION FROM COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS

 How to sense information (i.e. measure

the data) from the complex environments?
 For an instance, how to sense the data
(temperature/humidity etc) during transport
from a transport vehicle? Assume, a very
temperature sensitive material is being
transported!
CHALLENGE – 4
CONNECTIVITY

 Requirement of wired and wireless

connectivity!
 Usage frequency / spectrum is also to be
remembered (2.4 Ghz band is obvious
band everywhere)
CHALLENGE – 5
POWER REQUIREMENTS

 All the iot devices need power. Most of

them are battery operated.
 Thanks to long lasting batteries!
 However, demand for power is ever on the
rise and usage of green power sources like
solar/wind is to be motivated.
 CHALLENGE – 6
COMPLEXITY INVOLVED

 Iot is not easier!

 Why so?
 Needs lot of different domains to come together.
 Limited expertise in the market. (rapid growth)
 The toolkits, software, hardware not abundant.
(need awareness)
CHALLENGE – 7
STORAGE (CLOUD)

 Cloud is becoming mandatory! (for

storage)
 Problem is,
 Which cloud to use?
 How to identify?
 How much does it cost?
 Do we really need cloud?
LEVEL - 1
 With the amount of complexity involved, one could categorize iot as iot level 1/2/3/4/5/6.
 We shall start with the simplest of the levels, I.e. Level 1.
 What can be this?
 Have one sensor / device to sense. (could be temp sensor/pressure sensor etc.)
 The data to be stored in locally.
 Data analysis to be done.
 Monitoring / control can be done through an application (.apk or webapp)
 This is used for simple applications with limited complexity or no complexity
 Data is not huge. Means, not a big data here! All the control happens through internet.

Temperatur
Air Data Collection and Control and
e Sensor
conditioner Analysis Monitoring Action
(ON/OFF control)
LEVEL - 2

 Here, the data is definitely voluminous.

 Means, the frequency of the sensing done by sensor is faster.
 Here, cloud storage is preferred as data is huge.
 Analysis done locally. CLOUD MEANT for storage alone.
 Based on the data analysis, the control action can be triggered through the
web app or mobile application.
 Some examples could be: agriculture applications, room freshening
solutions based on odour etc.

Air Big Data (Bigger than Cloud Control and

conditioner Level 1) Monitoring Action
Data Analysis Done (ON/OFF control)
Locally
Temperature, Moisture and
Humidity
 LEVEL - 3

 Here, the data is definitely voluminous.

 Means, the frequency of the sensing done by sensor is faster.
 Here, cloud storage is preferred as data is huge.
 ANALYSIS DONE IN THE CLOUD. (This is a difference)
 Based on the data analysis, the control action can be triggered through the
web app or mobile application.
 Some examples could be: agriculture applications, room freshening
solutions based on odour etc.

Air Big Data (Bigger than Cloud

Control and
conditioner Level 1) (Data
Monitoring Action
IoT by Shriram K Vasudevan analysis
01-Mar-22 61
(ON/OFF control)
done here)

Temperature, Moisture and Humidity

LEVEL – 4

Temperatur
e Sensor

MOISTURE SENSOR Data Collection and Control and

Analysis Monitoring Action
(ON/OFF control)

 Here, the data is definitely voluminous.

 Means, the frequency of the sensing done by sensor is faster. ALSO,
PRESSURE, multiple nodes are there and they are independent of each other. Also,
TEMP, HUMIDITY – they upload data to the cloud. Means, all the sensors as shown, shall
upload the read sensory inputs.
BME280  Here, cloud storage is preferred as data is huge.
 ANALYSIS DONE IN THE CLOUD, application is totally cloud based!
 Based on the data analysis, the control action can be triggered through
the web app or mobile application.
 LEVEL – 5

Temperatur
e Sensor

Data

MOISTURE SENSOR Data Collection and Control and

Coordinator Node Analysis Monitoring Action
 Here, the data is definitely voluminous. (ON/OFF control)
 Means, the frequency of the sensing done by sensor is faster. ALSO, multiple nodes are there and they are independent of
each other.
 The data is collected by coordinator node and sent to the cloud.
 Here, cloud storage is preferred as data is huge.
PRESSURE,  ANALYSIS DONE IN THE CLOUD, application is totally cloud based!
Computationally very intensive.
TEMP, HUMIDITY – 

 REAL TIME.
BME280
 Based on the data analysis, the control action can be triggered through the web app or mobile application.
SO, WHAT HAVE WE UNDERSTOOD?