Internet of Things

by ritesh655lk
The term Internet of Things was first suggested by Kevin Ashton in 2009. The term Internet of
Things refers to unique identifiable objects and their virtual representations in an internet-like
structure. If all the objects and people in daily life were equipped with identifiers, they could be
managed and inventoried by computers.

Evolution of Internet:

Internet of Boffins:
This was the era when ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network) carried its first
data packet in 1969. It was the first network to use TCP/IP. This was followed by the Mark I
Network in 1970, which was built by Davis. This network was a packet switched network to
serve NPL in UK. It was soon replaced by Mark II in 1973. The other major inventions such as
Telenet in 1974, Ethernet in 1980, GOSIP in 1190 and a full text web search engines in 1994
followed the trend. This era is called Internet of Boffins since in this era internet was in a stage
of early evolution and research.

Internet of Geeks:
Internet of Geeks era started with the proposal of IPv6. It was the latest revision of the internet
protocol. The communication protocol provides identification and location system for computers
on networks and routes traffic across internet. The popular internet services started taking roots
in this era. Amazon.com started its first online retail service in 1995, followed by eBay providing
customers with online auction and shopping services. Hotmail started its free web based email
service in 1996, followed by Google search in 1998. PayPal started its first internet payment
service in 1998. Internet penetration was low in the market until 2000.

Internet of masses:

Internet of masses era started with the Dot-com bubble burst in 2000. In the starting of this era
Dot-com bubble burst led to high growth in stock markets due to increasing use of internet in the
industrial sector. In this era many people across the globe started using internet. Social
networking sites came into existence. In 2001 Wikipedia came into existence followed by
Facebook in 2004, further followed by Youtube, Twitter and Wikileaks in the consecutive years.

Mobile Internet:
Mobile Internet era refers to access to the Internet via cellular phone service provider. The era
got a boost with introduction of smartphones which gave a fast working internet on phones. This
was the era from 2007-2011. There was steep rise in the use of internet by the people round the
globe due to the mobile internet.

Internet of Things:
Internet of Things refers to an era where things can be connected to each other using internet.

How Things can be connected?

There are three basic requirements for connecting things:

1. Unique Identity
2. Communication Ability
3. Sensors

Unique Identity:
Things will require a unique identity, so that each device can be differentiated from other
devices. Unique identifiers can be given to devices using:
1. RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification)
2. Bar Codes
3. QR Codes.
4. Digital watermarking etc.

Emerging Applications of Internet of Things

The emerging applications of Internet of Things can be divided into two broad categories:
1. Information & Analysis
2. Automation & Control

Information & Analytics:

New network links data from products which will generate better data and analysis. This will
enhance decision making significant. This category can be further classified into three groups
based on different applications:
Tracking Behavior:
Tracking behavior means monitoring the behaviors of persons, things or data through space and
time. Sensors are embedded in the products for interaction of products with the users. Sensors
help the company track the movements of their products. Companies can fine-tune their business
model to take advantage of this behavioral data.
Example:
1. IKEA showrooms track the behavior of their customers by using the pressure sensors and
video cameras. The video cameras track the time spent by the customers near a particular
model of their furniture and the pressure sensors embedded in their sofas sense the
number of people taking the trial of the sofas. Company changes its business model
according to the behavior of its customers.
2. In a B-2-B model, airplane engine manufacturers can lend their engines to their clients
and they can use sensors to detect the usability of the engine. They can charge their
customers based on the thrust used by the pilots.
Enhanced Situational Awareness:
Enhanced situational awareness implies achieving real-time awareness of the physical
environment. If there is an unwanted introduction of a foreign particle in a restricted
environment, this unwanted particle can be detected and terminated.
Example:
1. Detecting sniper based on the direction of sound.
2. If there is an instance where Obama is giving a speech at some place and a no-flying zone
is declared in that area. In case there is an unknown plane moving into that area, the
Security personnel can use sensor networks that combine video, audio, and vibration
detectors to spot this unauthorized plane and terminate it.
Sensor Driven Decision Analytics
The Internet of Things also can support long range, more complex human planning and decision
making. The technology requires tremendous storage and computing resources linked with
advanced software systems that generate a variety of graphical displays for analyzing data rise
accordingly.

Example:
1. In the oil and gas industry, for instance, the next phase of exploration and development
could rely on extensive sensor networks placed in the earths crust to produce more
accurate readings of the location, structure, and dimensions of potential fields than
current data-driven methods allow. This will help the oil companies lower their cost of
exploration and an improved oil flow.

Automation & Control:

Making data the basis for automation and control means converting the data and analysis
collected from Internet of Things into instructions that feedback through the network actuators
that in turn modify the process. Automation and control can be classified further based on the
specific applications:
Process Optimization:
Internet of things is used to improve the processes in the industries. Some industries use a lot of
sensors to bring much greater granularity to monitoring. These sensors feed data into computers,
which in turn pass signals to actuators that adjust the processes.
Example:
1. In a heavy water drumming plant, the sensors detect the heavy water level filled in the
drum and signal the actuators when the drum is fully filled. The actuators automatically
close the drum based on the signals passed by the computers.
2. In the pulp and paper industry, there is frequent need for manual temperature adjustments
in lime kilns limits productivity gains. Companies can increase their productivity by
embedding temperature sensors whose data is used to automatically adjust the kiln flames
shape and intensity. This reduced the frequent operator intervention and also improved
the quality of the product.
Optimized Resource Consumption:
Networked sensors and automated feedback mechanisms can change usage patterns for scarce
resources, including energy and water, often by enabling more dynamic pricing. In this case the
consumption can be controlled to optimize resource use across network.
Example:
1. In USA there are smart meters that provide residential and industrial customers with
visual displays showing energy usage and the real-time costs. Based on time-of-use
pricing and better information residential consumers can shut down their air conditioners
or delay running dishwashers during peak times.

Complex Autonomous Systems:

The most demanding use of the Internet of Things involves the rapid, real-time sensing of
unpredictable conditions and instantaneous responses guided by automated systems. This kind of
machine decision making reflects human reactions, though at vastly enhanced performance
levels.
Example:
1. Google Car

Next Big Thing:

SMART CITIES
1. Smart Parking: Monitoring of parking spaces availability in the city.
2. Structural Health: Monitoring of vibrations and material conditions in buildings, bridges
and historical monuments.
3. Noise Urban Maps: Sound monitoring in bar areas and centric zones in real time.
4. Smartphone Detection: Detect iPhone and Android devices and in general any device
which works with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interfaces.

5. Electromagnetic field Levels: Measurement of the energy radiated by cell stations and
and Wi-Fi routers.
6. Traffic Congestion: Monitoring of vehicles and pedestrian levels to optimize driving and
walking routes.
7. Smart Lighting: Intelligent and weather adaptive lighting in street lights.
8. Waste Management: Detection of rubbish levels in containers to optimize the trash
collection routes.
9. Smart Roads: Intelligent Highways with warning messages and diversions according to
climate conditions and unexpected events like accidents or traffic jams.

Ongoing Projects:

IBM and Libelium Launch 6LoWPAN Development Platform for the Internet of Things.

Libelium Smart World Info graphic Sensors for Smart Cities, Internet of Things and
beyond.

Smart City project in Santander to monitor Parking Free Slots.

Smart Parking and environmental monitoring in one of the worlds largest WSN.

Libelium and Telefnica bring M2M Technology to Smart Cities.

Smart City project in Serbia for environmental monitoring by Public Transportation.