INTERNET OF THINGS – IOT
INTRODUCTION
The world today is an “Internet of Things”. Our planet has more connected devices than people. The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects-“things”- that are embedded with sensors, software and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.
IoT connects all potential objects to interact with each other on the Internet to provide secure, comfort life for human. These objects include network enabled devices such as traffic lights, smart appliances like Refrigerators, Microwave ovens, Washing Machines, dishwashers, thermostats; home security systems; computer peripherals like webcams and printers; wearable technology such as Apple Watches and Fitbits; Routers and smart speaker devices; GPS, heart monitoring Implants, MRI, biochips, etc.
HOW IoT WORKS:
An IoT system consists of sensors/devices which “talk” to the cloud through some kind of connectivity. Once the data gets to the cloud, software processes it and then might decide to perform an action, such as sending an alert or automatically adjusting the sensors/devices without the need for the user.
The IoT system involves web-enabled smart devices that use embedded systems, such as processors, sensors and communication hardware, to collect, send and act on data they acquire from their environments. IoT devices share the sensor data they collect by connecting to an IoT Gateway or other edge device where data is either sent to the cloud to be analyzed locally. Sometimes, these devices communicate with other related devices and act on the information they get from one another.
Radio frequency identification system :
RFID is an automatic technology and aids machines or computers to identify objects, record metadata or control individual target through radio waves. Connecting RFID reader to the terminal of Internet, the readers can identify, track and monitor the objects attached with tags globally, automatically, and in real time, if needed. This is the so-called Internet of Things (IoT). RFID is often seen as a prerequisite for the IoT.
Adding RFID tags to expensive pieces of
equipment to help track their location was one of the first IoT applications.
But since then, the cost of adding sensors and an internet connection to
objects has continued to fall, and experts predict that this basic
functionality could one day be cost effective, making it possible to connect
nearly everything to the internet.
STRUCTURE OF IOT:
The 4 stage IoT architecture consists of
1. Sensors and actuators
2. Internet getaways and Data Acquisition Systems
3. Edge IT
4. Data center and cloud.
Some of the common benefits of IOT enable businesses to:
• monitor their overall business processes;
• improve the customer experience;
• save time and money;
• enhance employee productivity;
• integrate and adapt business models;
• make better business decisions; and
• generate more revenue.
APPLICATIONS OF IOT:
There are numerous real-world applications of the internet of things, ranging from consumer IoT and enterprise IoT to manufacturing and industrial IoT (IIoT). IOT applications span numerous verticals, including automotive, telecom and energy, Agriculture, Health monitoring, etc.
DISADVANTAGES OF IoT:
• Security-As the number of connected devices increases and more information is shared between devices, the potential that a hacker could steal confidential information also increases.
• Privacy- Personal data is highly at the risk of getting leaked due to lack of weak privacy credentials.
CONCLUSION:
The IoT has the potential to dramatically increase the availability of information, and is likely to transform companies and organizations in virtually every industry around the world.
“This is just the beginning of
the growth of IoT; the future is yet to unfold”.
