IoT Fundamentals

What is IoT in the real life?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices connected to the internet that can collect, share, and act on data. These devices range from everyday household items like smart thermostats, lights, and refrigerators to industrial equipment such as sensors, machines, and vehicles. IoT enables these devices to communicate with each other and with centralized systems, often without human intervention.

At its core, IoT is about making devices "smart" by giving them the ability to sense their environment, process information, and take actions. For example, a smart home system can adjust the temperature automatically based on your daily habits, while a smart city might optimize traffic flow using data from connected vehicles and traffic lights.

IoT is closer to us than we think

Conventional Automation vs. Modern IoT Solutions: Examples and Benefits

IoT has revolutionized automation, offering solutions that are more flexible, efficient, and scalable than conventional methods. Let's explore a few practical examples to understand the differences and advantages IoT brings.

1. Smart Lighting for Homes and Apartments

Scenario: You want to automate outdoor and hallway lighting using motion and sound sensors.

• Conventional Solution:
  Each light is paired with a dedicated sound/motion sensor. You connect the sensor and light with wires, and power each motion sensor separately. This works but involves significant wiring and labor, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
• Modern IoT Solution:
  Place IoT motion sensors in strategic locations to cover entire areas (e.g., hallways, stairs). Use a smart relay for each light, all connected wirelessly to an IoT hub. Automation scripts can control lighting based on motion, sound, or time of day. For outdoor lighting, you can integrate a local sunset/sunrise schedule to automatically turn on the lights when it gets dark.

Benefits:

• Less physical wiring required.
• Centralized control allows easy adjustments to timers and brightness.
• One sensor can control multiple lights.
• Flexibility to add new functionalities, like integrating light sensors or remote control via smartphone.

2. Energy-Efficient Water Heating

Scenario: Your business operates in an area with dynamic electricity pricing, and you want to optimize energy usage.

• Conventional Solution:
  A standard boiler heats water at a fixed schedule, regardless of energy prices. This can lead to higher costs during peak times.
• Modern IoT Solution:
  Install an IoT-enabled boiler with a larger capacity. Connect the system to an IoT hub that fetches real-time electricity prices from the provider. Automation scripts adjust the water heating schedule, prioritizing heating during off-peak hours or when renewable energy sources (like wind) make electricity cheaper.

Benefits:

• Lower energy costs by optimizing heating times.
• The system adapts dynamically to changing energy prices.
• Reduces the environmental impact by using renewable energy when available.

3. Home Security Systems

Scenario: You want a home security system with remote monitoring and control.

• Conventional Solution:
  A traditional security system includes proprietary sensors, keypads, and wireless keys. These systems are reliable and secure, but they offer limited remote access. Adding remote functionality often requires expensive, proprietary modules.
• Modern IoT Integration:
  Instead of replacing the entire system, you can enhance it by integrating an IoT hub. This hub connects the traditional security system to a remote server, enabling you to manage it via a smartphone or web interface. You can arm/disarm the system, receive alerts, and adjust settings remotely.

Benefits:

• Extends the functionality of existing security systems without replacing core components.
• Remote control and monitoring from anywhere.
• Integration with other smart devices, like cameras or smart locks, for enhanced security.
• Simplified updates and maintenance through centralized control.

This hybrid approach combines the robustness of conventional systems with the flexibility and convenience of IoT.

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4. IoT in Fish Farming

Scenario: A fish farm with large sea cages requires efficient feeding based on environmental conditions.

• Conventional Solution:
  Feeders operate on a fixed schedule, with limited consideration for real-time factors like temperature or fish activity. Managing and adjusting each feeder individually is time-consuming.
• Modern IoT Solution:
  Equip each feeder station with IoT sensors and connect them to a central server. These sensors monitor water temperature, fish activity, and weather conditions. The server adjusts feeding schedules dynamically to optimize fish growth and reduce waste.

Benefits:

• Real-time adjustments to feeding based on environmental data.
• Centralized monitoring and control of multiple feeders, even over large distances.
• Increased efficiency and reduced feed waste, which improves profitability.

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Basic IoT architecture

IoT encompasses a wide range of applications, but most systems share a common architectural framework. While the idea of every IoT device being directly connected to the internet may seem appealing, it's not practical in most cases. There are several reasons why IoT architectures typically avoid giving each sensor or actuator its own internet connection.

1. Resource Constraints:
   Small, battery-powered sensors often lack the processing power to handle complex protocols like TCP/IP, let alone secure protocols such as HTTPS. These devices are designed to be lightweight and energy-efficient, which limits their capabilities.
2. Cost Efficiency:
   Even devices like relays, which don't face strict power constraints, need to remain cost-effective. Adding the processing power necessary for direct internet connectivity increases the device's complexity and price.
3. Wireless Communication Limitations:
   Many IoT devices rely on wireless communication. Supporting a full TCP/IP stack for transmitting small data packets over shared wireless channels is inefficient and costly.

Star Topology: The Preferred IoT Model

Due to these constraints, most IoT systems use a "star" topology. In this setup:

• End Devices (sensors, relays, etc.) communicate wirelessly with a centralized IoT Hub.
• The Hub acts as a bridge, forwarding data from the end devices to the internet and vice versa.

This indirect approach allows the use of lightweight, local communication protocols between the hub and end devices, optimizing performance and reducing costs.

Local Area Protocols

Popular local communication protocols include:

• ZigBee
• Z-Wave
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

These protocols are designed for low-power, short-range communication, making them ideal for typical IoT applications.

For applications requiring long-range communication, LoRa (Long Range) is an option. However, LoRa is more complex and expensive, making it suitable for specific use cases like smart agriculture or industrial IoT.

Special Case: Cameras

IoT cameras present unique challenges due to the high bandwidth required for video streaming. As a result, they typically use Wi-Fi or Ethernet for connectivity. This highlights another crucial role of the hub: integrating various networks and protocols into a single system.

The Role of the Hub

The IoT hub serves as the central node in the architecture. It:

• Aggregates data from different types of end devices.
• Translates between local protocols and internet protocols.
• Forwards data to cloud servers or other internet services.

This architecture ensures efficient communication while keeping IoT devices affordable, simple, and power-efficient.

Local IoT vs Remote Server IoT

A common question arises: if we already have a hub in our IoT network, which is a relatively powerful device, why do we need a remote server? This question is particularly relevant for personal setups like smart home automation, where privacy is a priority. Let's explore the differences and use cases for local and remote servers in IoT systems.

1. Why Remote Servers Are Common in Commercial IoT Solutions

For individual users, a smart home setup is a unique, private system. However, for service providers offering commercial IoT solutions, every home is just one of many. Managing these systems via a centralized remote server offers significant advantages:

• Centralized Business Logic:
  Service providers simplify management by keeping all the business logic on a remote server. This allows them to:
  • Roll out updates and improvements to all systems simultaneously.
  • Ensure uniform performance across multiple installations.
• Data Collection and Analysis:
  Remote servers enable providers to collect vast amounts of data from all connected systems. This data can be analyzed to improve existing services, develop new features, and even target advertising.

2. Local Servers: When Privacy and Customization Matter

In custom IoT solutions, particularly for personal or small-scale applications, you may choose to use a local server. This setup keeps your data within your private network and eliminates the need for constant internet connectivity. However, fully local solutions are typically feasible only for smaller systems, such as:

• Smart lighting control
• Automated power sockets

Benefits of a Local Server:

• Enhanced Privacy: Data stays within your private network.
• Offline Functionality: The system can operate without an internet connection.

3. Why Most Systems Still Require Remote Servers

For larger or more complex IoT systems, a remote server is almost always necessary. Even if data privacy is a concern, you can opt for an on-premises remote server, such as a Linux server hosted within your organization, to keep data private while benefiting from the power of remote computation.

Benefits of a Remote Server:

• Remote Access: Control and monitor your IoT system from anywhere.
• Data Storage: Centralized storage for logs, usage data, and more.
• Scalability: A remote server can handle more devices and complex automation scenarios.
• Centralized Updates: Easily update and manage all connected devices.

Drawbacks of a Remote Server:

• Dependence on Internet Connectivity: If your IoT system relies on a remote server, a poor or unstable internet connection can disrupt automation.

For example, in a Fish Feeder System, end devices in the sea often face unstable connections due to weather conditions. To address this, automation scripts can be saved locally on the devices, allowing them to operate offline if the connection is lost. The remote server in such cases is used to create and modify these scripts and store system data for analysis.

Conclusion

While local servers provide privacy and independence, remote servers offer scalability, flexibility, and centralized management. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the system, with most modern IoT solutions striking a balance by using both local and remote resources.

Entry Barriers in IoT

Despite the increasing availability of affordable IoT devices from manufacturers like Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Xiaomi Mijia, and Sonoff, the entry barrier for IoT remains high. While these companies offer "out-of-the-box" solutions, many individuals and businesses struggle with understanding their own automation needs. Without a clear definition of the problem, it's nearly impossible to identify or implement the right IoT solution.

This challenge isn't limited to straightforward tasks like smart home lighting automation; it extends to more complex business applications. Businesses often face unique operational challenges that require tailored IoT solutions, but identifying those needs requires both technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the specific business context.

Why Is the Entry Barrier Still High?

1. Lack of Awareness and Understanding:
   Many potential users are unfamiliar with the capabilities of IoT and how it could address their specific needs.
2. Complexity of Setup:
   Even with user-friendly devices, configuring and integrating IoT systems often requires technical skills, including networking, scripting, and system integration.
3. Defining the Right Solution:
   Identifying the right automation tasks and matching them with appropriate IoT devices and platforms is a challenge for non-experts.

Our Role in Simplifying IoT for Businesses

At our company, we specialize in developing IoT systems tailored to business needs. We help clients:

• Define their automation goals.
• Select the most suitable devices and platforms.
• Implement and maintain efficient IoT solutions.

By providing expertise and guidance, we lower the entry barrier for businesses, allowing them to harness the full potential of IoT to improve operations, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge.