UNIT I FUNDAMENTALS OF IOT

Introduction - Definition and Characteristics of IoT - Physical design - IoT Protocols - Logical
design - IoT communication models, IoT Communication APIs - Enabling technologies - Wireless
Sensor Networks, Cloud Computing, Big data analytics, Communication protocols, Embedded
Systems, IoT Levels and Templates - Domain specific IoTs - IoT Architectural view.

1.1 Introduction
⚫ The Internet of Things represents the whole way from collecting data, processing it, taking an
action corresponding to the signification of this data to storing everything in the cloud. All this is
made possible by the internet
⚫ The Internet of things has become a very widely spread concept in the last few years. The reason for
this is mainly the need to computerize and control most of the surrounding objects and have access
to data in real time.
⚫ Example: Parking sensors, about phones which can check the weather and so on

1.1.1 Definition & Characteristics of IoT Definition:

A dynamic global n/w infrastructure with self configuring capabilities based on standard and
interoperable communication protocols where physical and virtual ―things‖ have
identities, physical attributes and virtual personalities and use intelligent interfaces, and are
seamlessly integrated into information n/w, often communicate data associated with users and
their environments.

Characteristics of IoT
i)Dynamic & Self Adapting:
IoT devices and systems may have the capability to dynamically adapt with the changing
contexts and take actions based on their operating conditions, user‘s context or sensed
environment.
Eg: The surveillance system comprising of a number of surveillance cameras. The
surveillance camera can adapt modes based on whether it is day or night. The surveillance
system is adapting itself based on context and changing conditions. ii)Self Configuring:
IOT devices have self configuring capability,allowing a large number of devices to work
together to provide certain functionality. These devices have the ability configure
themselves setup networking, and fetch latest software upgrades with minimal manual or
user interaction.
iii) Inter Operable Communication Protocols: support a number of interoperable
communication protocols and can communicate with other devices and also with
infrastructure.
iv) Unique Identity: Each IoT device has a unique identity and a
unique identifier(IP address).
 v) Integrated into Information Network: that allow them to communicate and exchange
data with other devices and systems.

Applications of IoT:

1) Home
2) Cities
3) Environment
4) Energy
5) Retail
6) Logistics
7) Agriculture
8) Industry
9) Health &LifeStyle

Physical Design of IoT :

The "Things" in IoT usually refers to IoT devices which have unique identities and can perform remote
sensing, actuating and monitoring capabilities.
IoT devices can:
 Exchange data with other connected devices and applications (directly or indirectly), or
 Collect data from other devices and process the data locally or
 Send the data to centralized servers or cloud-based application back-ends for processing the data,
 Perform some tasks locally and other tasks within the IoT infrastructure, based on temporal and
space constraints
Generic block diagram of an IoT Device

• An IoT device may consist of several interfaces for connections to other devices, both wired and wireless.
• I/O interfaces for sensors
• Interfaces for Internet connectivity
• Memory and storage interfaces
• Audio/video interfaces.

• HDMI: High definition multimedia Interface.

• 3.5mm: Audio Jack which headphone adapter.
• RCA: Radio corporation of America.
• UART: Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter.
• SPI: Serial Peripheral Interface.
• I2C: Inter integrated circuit
• CAN: Controller Area Network used for Micro-controllers and devices to communicate.
• SD: Secure digital (memory card)
• MMC: multimedia card
• SDIO: Secure digital Input Output
• GPU: Graphics processing unit.
• DDR: Double data rate

IoT Protocols:

a) Link Layer :
Protocols determine how data is physically sent over the network‘s physical layer or medium. Local
network connect to which host is attached. Hosts on the same link exchange data packets over the
link layer using link layer protocols. Link layer determines how packets are coded and signalled by
 the h/w device over the medium to which the host is attached.

Protocols:

 802.3-Ethernet: IEEE802.3 is collection of wired Ethernet standards for the link layer. Eg: 802.3 uses co-
axial cable; 802.3i uses copper twisted pair connection; 802.3j uses fiber optic connection; 802.3ae uses
Ethernet overfiber.
 802.11-WiFi: IEEE802.11 is a collection of wireless LAN(WLAN) communication standards including
extensive description of link layer. Eg: 802.11a operates in 5GHz band, 802.11b and 802.11g operates in
2.4GHz band, 802.11n operates in 2.4/5GHz band, 802.11ac operates in 5GHz band, 802.11ad operates in
60Ghzband.
 802.16 - WiMax: IEEE802.16 is a collection of wireless broadband standards including exclusive
description of link layer. WiMax provide data rates from 1.5 Mb/s to 1Gb/s.
 802.15.4-LR-WPAN: IEEE802.15.4 is a collection of standards for low rate wireless personal area
network(LR-WPAN). Basis for high level communication protocols such as ZigBee. Provides data rate from
40kb/s to250kb/s.
 2G/3G/4G-Mobile Communication: Data rates from 9.6kb/s(2G) to up to100Mb/s(4G). B)
b) Network/Internet Layer:

Responsible for sending IP datagrams from source n/w to destination n/w. Performs the host
addressing and packet routing. Datagrams contains source and destination address.

Protocols:

 IPv4: Internet Protocol version4 is used to identify the devices on a n/w using a hierarchical addressing
scheme. 32 bit address. Allows total of 2*32addresses.
 IPv6: Internet Protocol version6 uses 128 bit address scheme and allows 2*128 addresses.
 6LOWPAN:(IPv6 over Low power Wireless Personal Area Network) operates in 2.4 GHz frequency
range and data transfer 250 kb/s.

c) Transport Layer:

Provides end-to-end message transfer capability independent of the underlying n/w. Set up on
connection with ACK as in TCP and without ACK as in UDP. Provides functions such as error
control, segmentation, flow control and congestion control.

Protocols:

 TCP: Transmission Control Protocol used by web browsers(along with HTTP and HTTPS),
email(along with SMTP, FTP). Connection oriented and stateless protocol. IP Protocol deals with sending
packets, TCP ensures reliable transmission of protocols in
order. Avoids n/w congestion and congestioncollapse.
 UDP: User Datagram Protocol is connectionless protocol. Useful in time
sensitive applications, very small data units to exchange. Transaction oriented and
stateless protocol. Does not provide guaranteed delivery.

d) Application Layer:

Defines how the applications interface with lower layer protocols to send data over the n/w. Enables
process-to-process communication using ports.

Protocols:

 HTTP: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol that forms foundation of WWW. Follow requestresponse model
Stateless protocol.
 CoAP: Constrained Application Protocol for machine-to-machine(M2M) applications with
constrained devices, constrained environment and constrained n/w. Uses client-server architecture.
 WebSocket: allows full duplex communication over a single socket connection.
 MQTT: Message Queue Telemetry Transport is light weight messaging protocol based on publish-
subscribe model. Uses client server architecture. Well suited for constrained environment.
 XMPP: Extensible Message and Presence Protocol for real time communication and streaming XML
data between network entities. Support client-server and server-server communication.
 DDS: Data Distribution Service is data centric middleware standards for device-to-device or
machine-to-machine communication. Uses publish-subscribe model.
 AMQP: Advanced Message Queuing Protocol is open application layer protocol for business
messaging. Supports both point-to-point and publish-subscribe model.

LOGICAL DESIGN of IoT

Refers to an abstract represent of entities and processes without going into the low level specifies of
implementation.
1) IoT Functional Blocks
2) IoT Communication Models
3) IoT Comm. APIs

1) IoT Functional Blocks:

Provide the system the capabilities for identification, sensing, actuation, communication and management
 Device: An IoT system comprises of devices that provide sensing, actuation, monitoring and control
functions.
 Communication: handles the communication for IoT system.
 Services: for device monitoring, device control services, data publishing services and services for
device discovery.
 Management: Provides various functions to govern the IoT system.
 Security: Secures IoT system and priority functions such as authentication, authorization, message
and context integrity and data security.
 Application: IoT application provide an interface that the users can use to control and monitor
various aspects of IoT system.

2) IoT Communication Models:

A) Request-Response
 B) Publish-Subscribe
C)Push-Pull
D) Exclusive Pair

A) Request-Response

Request-Response is a communication model in which the client sends requests to the server and the server
responds to the requests. When the server receives a request, it decides how to respond, fetches the data,
retrieves resource representations, prepares the response, and then sends the response to the client.

B) Publish-Subscribe communication model:

a. Publish-Subscribe is a communication model that involves publishers, brokers and
consumers.
b. Publishers are the source of data. Publishers send the data to the topics which are managed by
the broker. Publishers are not aware of the consumers.
c. Consumers subscribe to the topics which are managed by the broker.
d. When the broker receives data for a topic from the publisher, it sends the data to all the
subscribed consumers
C) Push-Pull communication model:
a. Push-Pull is a communication model in which the data producers push the data to queues and
the consumers pull the data from the queues. Producers do not need to be aware of the
consumers.
b. Queues help in decoupling the messaging between the producers and consumers.
c. Queues also act as a buffer which helps in situations when there is a mismatch between the
rate at which the producers push data and the rate at which the consumers pull.

D) Exclusive Pair communication model:

a. Exclusive Pair is a bidirectional, fully duplex communication model that uses a persistent
connection between the client and server.
b.Once the connection is setup it remains open until the client sends a request to close the
connection.
c. Client and server can send messages to each other after connection setup.
3) IoT Communication APIs: a) REST based communication APIs(Request-Response Based Model)
b) WebSocket based Communication APIs(Exclusive

PairBasedModel) Request-Response model used by REST:

RESTful webservice is a collection of resources which are represented by URIs. RESTful web API has a
base URI(e.g: http://example.com/api/tasks/). The clients and requests to these URIs using the methods
defined by the HTTP protocol(e.g: GET, PUT, POST or DELETE). A RESTful web service can support
various internet media types.

b) WebSocket Based Communication APIs: WebSocket APIs allow bi-directional, full duplex
communication between clients and servers. WebSocket APIs follow the exclusive pair communication

model.

1.4 IoT Enabling Technologies

IoT is enabled by several technologies including Wireless Sensor Networks, Cloud Computing, Big Data
Analytics, Embedded Systems, Security Protocols and architectures, Communication Protocols, Web
Services, Mobile internet and semantic search engines.

1.4.1 Wireless Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network comprises of distributed devices with sensors which are used to monitor
the environmental and physical conditions. A WSN consist of a number of end nodes and routers and a co-
ordinator. The coordinator collects the data from all the nodes. Coordinator also acts as a gateway that
connects the WSN to the internet.
WSNs used in IoT systems are described as follows:
• Weather Monitoring System: in which nodes collect temp, humidity and other data,
which is aggregated and analyzed.
• Indoor air quality monitoring systems: to collect data on the indoor air quality
and concentration of various gases.
• Soil Moisture Monitoring Systems: to monitor soil moisture at various locations.
• Surveillance Systems: use WSNs for collecting surveillance data(motion data detection).
• Smart Grids : use WSNs for monitoring grids at various points.
• Structural Health Monitoring Systems: Use WSNs to monitor the health of
structures(building, bridges) by collecting vibrations from sensor nodes deployed at various
points in the structure.
WSNs are enabled by wireless communication protocols such as IEEE 802.15.4. Zig Bee is one of the
most popular wireless technologies used by WSNs .Zig Bee specifications are based on IEEE 802.15.4. Zig
Bee operates 2.4 GHz frequency and offers data rates upto 250 KB/s and range from 10 to 100meters.
1.4.2 Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a transformative computing paradigm that involves delivering applications and
services over the internet. Cloud computing involves provisioning of computing, networking and storage
resources on demand and providing these resources as metered services to the users, in a “pay as you go”.
Cloud computing resources can be provisioned on-demand by the users, without requiring interactions with
the cloud service provider. The process of provisioning resources is automated.
Cloud computing services are offered to users in different forms.
• Infrastructure-as-a-service(IaaS):Provides users the ability to provision computing and
storage resources. These resources are provided to the users as a virtual machine instances
and virtual storage.
• Platform-as-a-Service(PaaS): Provides users the ability to develop and deploy
application in cloud using the development tools, APIs, software libraries and services
provided by the cloud service provider.
• Software-as-a-Service(SaaS): Provides the user a complete software application or the
user interface to the application itself. The cloud service provider manages the underlying
cloud infrastructure including servers, network, operating systems, storage, and
application software.
 1.4.3 Big data Analysis

Big data is defined as collections of data sets whose volume , velocity or variety is so large that it is
difficult to store, manage, process and analyze the data using traditional databases and data processing
tools.
Some examples of big data generated by IoT are Sensor
data generated by IoT systems.
• Machine sensor data collected from sensors established in industrial and energy systems.
• Health and fitness data generated IoT devices.
• Data generated by IoT systems for location and tracking vehicles.
• Data generated by retail inventory monitoring
systems. The underlying characteristics of Big Data are
Volume: There is no fixed threshold for the volume of data for big data. Big data is used for massive scale
data.
Velocity: Velocity is another important characteristics of Big Data and the primary reason for exponential
growth of data.
Variety: Variety refers to the form of data. Big data comes in different forms such as structured or
unstructured data including test data, image , audio, video and sensor data .

1.4.4 Communication Protocols:

Communication Protocols form the back-bone of IoT systems and enable network connectivity and
coupling to applications.
• Allow devices to exchange data over network.
• Define the exchange formats, data encoding addressing schemes for device and routing of
packets from source to destination.
• It includes sequence control, flow control and retransmission of lost packets.

1.4.5 Embedded Systems:

Embedded Systemsis a computer system that has computer hardware and software embedded to
perform specific tasks. Key components of embedded system include microprocessor or
micro controller, memory (RAM, ROM, Cache), networking units (Ethernet Wi-Fi
Adaptor), input/output units (Display, Keyboard, etc..,) and storage (Flash memory).
Embedded System range from low cost miniaturized devices such as digital watches to
devices such as digital cameras, POS terminals, vending machines, appliances etc.,

1.5 IOT Levels and Deployment Templates.

1.5.1 IoT Level-1

Level-1 IoT systems has a single node that performs sensing and/or actuation, stores data, performs analysis
and host the application. Suitable for modeling low cost and low complexity solutions where the data
involved is not big and analysis requirement are not computationally intensive. An e.g., of IoT Level1
isHomeautomation.The system consist of a single node that allows controlling the lights and appliances in
a home the device used in this system interfaces with the lights and appliances using electronic rely
switches. The status information of each light or appliances is maintained in a local database. REST
services deployed locally allow retrieving and updating the state of each lighter appliance in the status
database. The controller service continuously monitors the state of each light or appliance by retrieving the
light from the database.
1.5.2 IoT Level 2
IoT Level2 has a single node that performs sensing and/or actuating and local analysis as shown in fig. Data
is stored in cloud and application is usually cloud based. Level2 IoT systems are suitable for solutions where
data are involved is big, however, the primary analysis requirement is not computationally intensive and can

be done locally itself. An e,g., of Level2 IoT system for Smart Irrigation.
 The system consists of a single node that monitors the soil moisture level and controls the irrigation system.
The device used system collects soil moisture data from sensors. The controller service continuously
monitors the moisture level. A cloud based REST web service is used for storing and retrieving moisture
data which is stored in a cloud database. A cloud based application is used for visualizing the moisture level
over a period of time which can help in making decision about irrigation schedule.

1.5.3 IoT Level 3

This System has a single node. Data is stored and analyzed in the cloud application is cloud based as
shown in fig. Level3 IoT systems are suitable for solutions where the data involved is big and analysis
requirements are computationally intensive.
The system consists of a single node that monitors the vibration levels for the package being shipped . The
device in this system uses accelerometer and gyroscope sensor for monitoring vibration levels. The
controller serves in the sensor data to the cloud in a real time using a websocket service. The data is stored
in the cloud and also visualizing the cloud based applications . The analysis components in the cloud can
trigger alerts if the vibration level becomes greater than the threshold.

1.5.4 IoT Level 4

This System has multiple nodes that perform local analysis. Data is stored in the cloud and application is
cloud based as shown in fig. Level4 contains local and cloud based observer nodes which can subscribe to
and receive information collected in the cloud from IoT devices. Level 4 IoT systems are suitable for
solutions where multiple nodes are required, the data involved in big and the analysis requirements are
computationally intensive.
Example : IoT System for Noise Monitoring.
The system consists of multiple nodes placed in different locations for monitoring noise levels in an area.
The nodes in this example are equipped with sound sensors. Nodes are independent of each other. Each
nodes runs its owner controller service that sends the data to the cloud . The data is stored in cloud
database. The analysis of data collected from a number of nodes is done in the cloud. A cloud based
application is used for visualizing the aggregated data.

1.5.5 IoT Level 5

System has multiple end nodes and one coordinator node as shown in fig. The end nodes that perform
sensing and/or actuation. Coordinator node collects data from the end nodes and sends to the cloud. Data is
stored and analyzed in the cloud and application is cloud based. Level5 IoT systems are suitable for solution
based on wireless sensor network, in which data are high intensive.
Example :IoT system for Forest Fire Detection.
The system consists of multiple nodes placed in different locations for monitoring
temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in a forest. The end nodes in this example are
equipped with various sensors such as temperature, humidity and CO2. The coordinator
node collects the data from the end nodes and act as a gateway that provides internet
connectivity to the IoT system. The controller service on the coordinator device sends
the collected data to the cloud. The data is stores in a cloud database. The analysis of data
is done in the computing cloud to aggregate the data and make predictions. A cloud
based applications is used for visualizing the data

1.5.6 IoT Level 6.

System has multiple independent end nodes that perform sensing and/or actuation and
sensed data to the cloud. Data is stored in the cloud and application is cloud based as
shown in fig. The analytics component analyses the data and stores the result in the cloud
data base. The results are visualized with the cloud based applications. The centralized
controller is aware of the status of all endnodes and sends control commands to the
nodes.
Example weather monitoring system
The system consists of multiple nodes placed in different locations for monitoring
temperatures,humidity and pressure in an area.the end nodes are equipped with various
sensors(such as temperature,humidity and pressure).the end nodes send the data to the
cloud realtime using a websocketservice.the data is stored in a cloud database. The
analysis of data is done in a cloud to aggregate a data and make predictions.acloud based
application is used for visualizing the data.