# **Technologies that Enabled Internet of Things** The main computer concepts that have enabled the development and proliferation of the *Internet of Things (IoT)* include foundational technologies for data collection, processing, storage, and communication between devices. ## **1. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)** A *Wireless Sensor Network* is a network of physical devices, appliances, and other objects embedded with sensors and software, which can communicate through wireless channels to monitor environmental and physical conditions. ### **Types of Sensors in WSNs:** - **Environmental Sensors:** Used for measuring and monitoring environmental conditions. - *Examples:* Temperature, humidity, air quality, air pressure, wind speed, and light sensors. - **Industrial Sensors:** Used for measuring and monitoring physical quantities in manufacturing processes. - *Examples:* Heat, pressure, gas, vibration, viscosity, fluid flow, and magnetic field sensors. - **Motion Detection Sensors:** Used to detect the movement of humans or objects, often for security purposes. - *Examples:* Ultrasonic, proximity, vibration, and Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors. ### **Examples of WSN Applications in IoT:** - Surveillance systems - Weather monitoring systems - Structural health monitoring systems - Smart grid electricity networks ## **2. Cloud Computing** *Cloud Computing* is an IT infrastructure that provides on-demand services like data storage, databases, servers, networking, and software applications over the Internet. ### **Types of Cloud Computing Models:** | Cloud Model | Ownership & Management | Key Characteristics | Use Case | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Public Cloud** | Owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). | Services are delivered over the public internet. Pay-per-usage or subscription-based. High-speed connectivity. | Businesses that need scalable resources without managing physical infrastructure. | | **Private Cloud** | Owned and operated by a single organization for its private use. | Requires significant investment. Provides greater control, performance, and reliability. | Organizations with strict security and data privacy requirements. | | **Community Cloud**| Infrastructure is shared by several organizations with common goals (e.g., security, policy). | More cost-effective than private cloud. More secure than public cloud. | Collaborations between organizations in the same industry or with similar needs. | | **Hybrid Cloud** | A combination of public and private clouds, bound together by technology that allows data and applications to be shared. | Offers flexibility. Sensitive data is kept on the private cloud while less critical tasks are run on the public cloud. | Organizations that want to leverage the benefits of both public and private clouds. | ## **3. Big Data Analytics** *Big Data Analytics* is the process of collecting and examining extremely large and varied data sets (*big data*) to uncover hidden patterns, market trends, and other useful insights. - **Function:** It transforms the vast amount of data gathered by IoT devices into actionable information to improve decision-making, enhance customer service, and generate revenue. - **Data Sources:** Banking transactions, medical records, mobile apps, emails, IoT sensor data. - **Application Areas:** Healthcare, transport, banking, weather forecasting, insurance, digital marketing. ## **4. Communication Protocols** An *IoT Communication Protocol* is a set of rules that governs how data is transferred and understood between physical devices, sensors, and end-users. These protocols are essential for the proper functioning and interoperability of IoT-enabled devices. Radio Frequency (RF) systems are often used for wireless communication in these protocols. ## **5. Embedded Systems** *Embedded Systems* are small electronic devices that combine computer hardware and firmware (*permanently installed software*) to perform a specific, dedicated task. - **Core Components:** A microcontroller or a microprocessor controls the system's operation via firmware. - **IoT Application Example:** A smart thermostat uses an embedded system to monitor a room's temperature and automatically adjust heating or cooling. - **Common Uses:** Medical equipment, home appliances, point-of-sale terminals, vending machines, and automotive devices. | Technology | Role in IoT | | :--- | :--- | | **WSN** | Data acquisition from the physical environment. | | **Cloud Computing** | Data storage, processing, and application hosting. | | **Big Data Analytics** | Deriving insights and patterns from collected data. | | **Protocols** | Enabling communication between devices. | | **Embedded Systems**| The core hardware/software for specific device functions. |