Detail explanation of internet of things(IOT).

 What is IoT?

This is an extensively growing technology wherein the day-to-day objects present in the world are connected to the Internet with the help of sensors. The transfer of data or information takes place without human or human-to-computer interaction.

IoT Architecture Overview

IoT can be classified into a four or five-layered architecture which gives you a complete overview of how it works in real life. The various components of the architecture include the following:

• Four-layered architecture: this includes media/device layer, network layer, service and application support layer, and application layer.
• Five-layered architecture: this includes perception layer, network layer, middleware layer, application layer, and business layer.

Functions of Each Layer

• Sensor/Perception layer: This layer comprises of wireless devices, sensors, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that are used for collecting and transmitting raw data such as the temperature, moisture, etc. which is passed on to the next layer.
• Network layer: This layer is largely responsible for routing data to the next layer in the hierarchy with the help of network protocols. It uses wired and wireless technologies for data transmission.
• Middleware layer: This layer comprises of databases that store the information passed on by the lower layers where it performs information processing and uses the results to make further decisions.
• Service and application support layer: This layer involves business process modeling and execution as well as IoT service monitoring and resolution.
• Application layer: It consists of application user interface and deals with various applications such as home automation, electronic health monitoring, etc.
• Business layer: this layer determines the future or further actions required based on the data provided by the lower layers

This explains the back-end design implementations of a typical IoT structure.

Design Perspectives of IoT

Design of an IoT model consists of both front-end and back-end design concepts that are required for user interaction as well as the customer use. The front-end designs deal with interactive user-interfaces that are used for setting up the devices under IoT in order for them to function by connecting to the Internet. The back-end design includes the servers, databases for storage of data and the programming language that is used for designing.

Front-end Design Implementation

Front-end is nothing but the home screen that a user interacts with while using IoT. It is majorly built using various computer design languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc., in order to create a screen which displays the various menus and buttons, using which the user can operate or interact with the devices using IoT.

Back-end Design Implementation

Back-end design includes the servers and databases in which the data are stored as discussed in the descriptions of sensor, network and middleware layers. All the sensors and actuators collect data through their sensory modules and send the information to the databases and servers built at the back-end. We need technology that acts as the medium for interaction between the user interface and the back-end storages.

Connecting the Front-end and Back-end

The mobile apps and hardware such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi are the technologies used for aiding the user interaction with the backend servers where the data is largely stored. Arduino is a micro-controller, while Raspberry Pi is a full-fledged computer that works on Linux platform.

IoT Platform

The IoT Platform consists of multiple layers which provide managementand optimization of all the devices present within it. With the help of connecting options, secure mechanisms, and information conversion techniques, this particular platform connects hardware to the cloud, which becomes a platform for application developers who use elements that speed up the development process. The main goal of the IoT is to establish a smart-connected life. This fails if all the components including hardware and software do not function together efficiently. In order to achieve stability in IoT systems, IoT platforms must be able to manage and optimize the use of energy, power, data, hardware, as well as many other components.

Structure

The structure of an IoT platform consists of these architectural forms:

• connectivity which ensures proper connection within devices
• device management which ensures that all the devices that are connected to the platform are working properly
• database that stores data about all the devices that are connected
• processing that does the necessary data conversion
• analytics
• visualization which provides easy and understandable human observation with the help of lines, charts, 2D and 3D models
• additional tools
• external interfaces

Comparison with Middleware

An IoT platform is significantly different from an IoT middleware even though the platform originated from the middleware concept. IoT middleware was considered as a 'working mediator' between the hardware devices and the application layer. From it, an IoT platform developed with advanced features and working modes, which does not just work as a mediator but provide security, look upon the correct programming, and manage it.

Forms of the IoT platform

There are three main IoT platform forms:

Application Enablement Platform (AEP)

This platform offers the actual end-user application creation. It consists of templates, frames, and forms that are readily available for using and creating. Data is transformed into actual information as quickly as possible on this platform.

Provisioning Platform

This particular platform makes the connecting methods (different plans) for cellular data much easier to approach. This helps in both the device and network management. This makes the whole process of activating, de-activating, and renewal of plans much easier and also provides for easy subscription and communication.

Connectivity platform

This platform works on all the connectivity issues of the IoT devices that might happen and solves them by providing proper connections and networks. For example, we can change sim cards between the devices that are connected to the IoT platform.

Lesson Summary

This lesson defines the concept of Internet of Things (IoT), which can be seen as the future of computer science. IoT deals with creating and designing models that can ease our day-to-day activities by automating them. Home automation, health monitoring, smart wearables, smart farming, etc., are some of the areas that have benefited by IoT. We also learn about the architectural design of IoT and later understand the design concepts involved in creating the front-end user interface and back-end servers and databases with the help of appropriate hardware and software that interconnects them. In total, we get a glimpse how an IoT model functions.

In order to make an IoT system work, many devices need to collaborate with each other. Each device that participates in the IoT needs to be managed. An IoT platform ensures proper management of these devices. The platform consists of eight sections. These include connectivity, device and database management, visualization (2D and 3D models), business analytics, and processing data.

The IoT platform originated from the IoT middleware concept but it evolved to handle more advanced features like security, making working models, and optimization. There are three forms of IoT: Application Enablement Platform which offers end-user creation, Provisioning Platform which works on different plans for cellular data, and Connectivity platform which works on solving connectivity issues.