UNIT-1

Introduction to IoT and Use cases: Understanding basic concepts of IoT, Consumer IoT vs Industrial
Internet, Fundamental building blocks, Use Cases of IoT in various industry domains.
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Introduction to IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical objects, or "things," embedded with
sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to connect and exchange data with other
devices and systems over the internet

or

IoT is a network of physical devices (“things”) embedded with:

 Sensors
 Software
 Electronics
 Network connectivity

These devices can collect, send, and receive data over the internet without human intervention.

Understanding basic concepts of IoT

The Basic Concepts of IoT Include

 Connectivity,
 Data collection and analysis,
 Unique identifiers for devices,
 Integration of physical objects with the digital world

 Connectivity:

IoT relies on the ability of devices to connect to the internet, often through low-power, wide-area
networks (LPWANs) like Sigfox or LoRaWAN.

 Sensors and Data Collection:

Sensors are the core components of IoT devices, gathering data about their environment (temperature,
pressure, movement, etc.) and converting it into usable signals.

 Data Processing and Analysis:

Collected data is processed and analyzed to generate insights, often stored in the cloud.

 User Interface:
IoT systems typically include a user interface for monitoring, control, and interaction with the
connected devices.

 Unique Identifiers:

Each device in an IoT network has a unique identifier, like an IP address, to enable communication and
tracking.

Architecture of IoT
The architecture of IoT is divided into 4 different layers i.e. Sensing Layer, Network Layer, Data
processing Layer, and Application Layer.

Sensing Layer: The sensing layer is the first layer of the Internet of Things architecture and is
responsible for collecting data from different sources

Network Layer: The network layer of an IoT architecture is responsible for providing
communication and connectivity between devices in the IoT system

Data processing Layer: The data processing layer of IoT architecture refers to the software and
hardware components that are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from IoT
devices

Application Layer: The application layer of IoT architecture is the topmost layer that interacts
directly with the end-user. It is responsible for providing user-friendly interfaces and functionalities
that enable users to access and control IoT devices.
Consumer IoT vs Industrial IoT
Consumer IoT (CIoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) are both subsets of the broader Internet of Things (IoT)
concepts. They differ significantly in their applications, scope, and focus.

Consumer IoT

CIoT encompasses connected devices and systems designed for personal use and convenience, like
smart home devices, wearable’s, and entertainment systems.

Industrial IoT

IIoT focuses on using connected devices and sensors in industrial settings to improve efficiency,
productivity and safety, such as in manufacturing, energy, and healthcare.
Key Differences between Consumer IoT and Industrial IoT

Feature Consumer IoT (CIoT) Industrial IoT (IIoT)

Purpose Comfort, convenience, entertainment Automation, efficiency, safety
Factories, power plants, agriculture,
Environment Homes, personal spaces
etc.
Smart TVs, smart bulbs, fitness Smart sensors, robotic arms, CNC
Examples
bands machines
Small-scale (individual or
Scale Large-scale (enterprise-level)
household)
Industrial protocols (Modbus, LoRa,
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
OPC-UA)

Low to moderate (user data,

Data Sensitivity High (critical machine or safety data)
preferences)
Very high (safety, production
Security Needs Basic to moderate
control)
Real-Time Often real-time or near real-time is
Not always critical
Response required

Examples

Consumer IoT Devices:

 Smart thermostat (e.g., Nest)

 Amazon Alexa / Google Home
 Smart watches & fitness bands
 Smart door locks
 Home security cameras

Industrial IoT Devices:

 Predictive maintenance sensors on machines

  PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) systems
 SCADA(Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) based monitoring systems
 Smart grid sensors
 Remote pipeline pressure sensors

SCADA : It is a system used in industrial settings to monitor and control processes, machines, and
equipment in real-time

So finally the summary of CIoT and IIoT is

Aspect CIoT – Consumer IoT IIoT – Industrial IoT

Focus Lifestyle & Convenience Automation & Productivity
Users consumers Industries, factories
Risk Low High (system failures costly)

Fundamental Building Blocks of IoT

The fundamental building blocks of an IoT (Internet of Things) system are sensors/devices,
connectivity, data processing, and applications.

These components work together to enable devices to collect, transmit, and utilize data,
ultimately leading to intelligent actions and insights.

1) Sensors and Actuators (Perception Layer)

Sensors

 Collect real-world data like temperature, motion, light, pressure, etc.

 Examples: DHT11 (temperature), PIR (motion), Soil Moisture Sensor

Actuators

 Take actions based on received data, like turning on a motor or switching a light.
 Examples: Motors, LEDs, buzzers, relays

2) Embedded Devices / Microcontrollers

 Process and control the data from sensors.

 Examples: Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi (for edge computing)
 Tasks: Reading sensor input, executing logic, sending commands to actuators

3) Communication Network (Connectivity Layer)

Communication enables data exchange between devices and cloud.

Common Technologies:
Protocol/Tech Use Case
Wi-Fi Home automation, indoor
Bluetooth Wearables, short range
Zigbee/Z-Wave Smart homes, mesh networks
GSM/4G/5G Remote monitoring
LoRa, NB-IoT Long-range, low-power
Ethernet Industrial fixed setups
Bluetooth Wearables, short range

4) Cloud / Data Storage & Processing (Application Layer)

 Stores, analyzes, and visualizes data collected from devices.
 Enables remote access, dashboards, and control.

Examples:

 ThingSpeak, Blynk, Google Firebase, AWS IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT

5) User Interface (UI)

 Allows humans to interact with IoT systems.
 Web dashboards, mobile apps, voice assistants (Alexa/Google Home)
 Displays real-time data and provides control options

6) Security Layer (Cross-cutting)

 Protects IoT data and devices from unauthorized access or attacks.
 Involves:
o Encryption (TLS, SSL)
o Authentication (username/password, tokens)
o Secure firmware updates

Use Cases of IoT in various Industry Domains

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming multiple sectors such as automation, data-driven decisions, and
remote control/monitoring. So it is a categorized overview of key industry-specific IoT applications are

Industrial / Manufacturing (IIoT)

Use Case Description

Predictive Maintenance Monitor machines to detect early signs of failure
Track tools, parts, and materials using RFID or
Asset Tracking
GPS
Monitor performance and health of remote
Remote Equipment Monitoring
machinery
Smart robots and conveyor systems controlled by
Industrial Automation
IoT data
Agriculture (AgriTech)

Use Case Description

Automate watering based on soil moisture &
Smart Irrigation
weather
Control temperature, humidity, and lighting
Greenhouse Automation
remotely
Crop Health Monitoring Use sensors or drones to detect pests or diseases

Healthcare (IoMT – Internet of Medical Things)

Use Case Description

Remote Patient Monitoring Wearables track vitals like heart rate, SpO2, etc.
Infusion pumps, connected inhalers, ECG
Smart Medical Devices
monitors
Fall detection and emergency call buttons for
Emergency Alert Systems
elderly
Medicine Adherence Reminders and logs for medication intake

Smart Home

Use Case Description

Control lights, fans, ACs, and more via apps or
Home Automation
voice
Security & Surveillance Smart locks, motion sensors, cameras
Energy Management Smart meters and thermostats to reduce energy use
Voice Assistants Alexa, Google Assistant integration

Transportation & Logistics

Use Case Description

Fleet Management Track vehicles, fuel usage, and routes
Smart Traffic Control Adaptive signals based on traffic flow
Cold Chain Monitoring Monitor temperature of perishable goods in transit
Vehicle Telematics Real-time data from engines, brakes, tires, etc.

Smart Cities

Use Case Description

Smart Lighting Street lights turn on/off automatically
Smart Waste Management Bins signal when they’re full
Air Quality Monitoring Real-time pollution and air index data
CCTV, gunshot detection, crowd monitoring
Public Safety
systems

Retail

Use Case Description

Smart Shelves Detect product levels and automatically restock
Customer Behavior Analytics Monitor footfall, movement, and dwell time
IoT Payments Contactless and RFID-based checkout systems
 Inventory Management Real-time stock level updates via sensors

Education & Research

Use Case Description

Smart Classrooms Environmental monitoring and automatic control
Real-time experiments using sensors and cloud
IoT Lab Projects
platforms
Student Safety Systems Wearables or ID cards with GPS in school buses

Energy & Utilities

Use Case Description

Smart Grids Dynamic energy distribution and fault detection
Remote Metering Automatic meter reading via Wi-Fi or LoRa
Leakage Detection Sensors detect gas or water leaks in real-time
Solar Power Monitoring Track panel output and health from anywhere