Today, we talk about the 5 wireless technologies commonly used in the Internet of Things technologies.
One of the most common misconceptions about the Internet of Things is that it’s only about connected devices. In reality, the term Internet of Things/IoT applies to anything or everything that can be connected to the Internet, including people and ecosystems.
For example, smartwatches are an example of an IoT device, and so are wearable fitness trackers. Even tablets that support wireless capabilities can be considered IoT devices.
Each of them has its own unique software and hardware components that allow it to send data (over the Internet) to and receive data from other devices and sources, while also operating independently as a unit with built-in processing power.
All these different devices are connected together through a network, and they can then communicate with each other and even collect data from their surroundings and operate autonomously accordingly (a process called machine learning).
Let’s see what emerging technologies are available for use in the Internet of Things technologies.
Internet of Things technologies 1. Network protocols
TCP/IP
Most IoT devices use this protocol to transmit data. It is not the only choice, but it is probably the most popular, thanks in large part to its reliability and ease of scalability.
Mesh network
In this configuration, data transmitted by one of the devices is relayed through other devices until it reaches its destination.
This is important for many IoT applications because it means that when a node in the network topology fails or becomes unserviceable, this architecture allows a “hopping” approach to form a new route and deliver the data to the transmission destination.
Low-power WAN
Another type of private network that allows smart meters and other low-power devices to transmit data over relatively long distances (about 10 km).
Bluetooth Low Energy
A more energy-efficient version of traditional Bluetooth, BLE sends very little data over short distances – a good choice for applications that do not store large amounts of data or do not require extremely fast transmission speeds.
Internet of Things technologies 2. Beacons
A beacon is a sensor device that transmits data (usually a low-power Bluetooth or BLE signal) to a mobile application, enabling the transmission of dynamic information in physical space.
One of the most common uses of beacon technology is indoor navigation, which can help employees navigate through unfamiliar buildings or help shoppers navigate through large malls.
Beacons can also be used to provide directions based on proximity in large areas, even those without Wi-Fi, such as open stadiums or concert venues.
Another application of beacons is to push location-based notifications. For example, when you walk near a Starbucks, you might receive a notification on your phone of its coupons.
This kind of interaction has huge implications for the retail industry, and beacons are one of the technologies that enable brick-and-mortar retailers to counter their online competitors with new concepts such as “retail as entertainment”.
Internet of Things technologies 3. Machine learning
Machine learning is an emerging technology that allows computers to act autonomously without instructions. In the last decade, machine learning has provided us with self-driving cars, practical speech recognition, effective web searches, and a great understanding of the human genome.
Machine learning is so pervasive today that you may use it dozens of times in a day without realizing it. Many researchers believe this is the best way to move toward human-level artificial intelligence.
Internet of Things technologies 4. Connected Technology
When you think of the Internet of Things, the first thing that comes to mind is a smart home with lights activated by voice commands, or a smart factory in which machines communicate with each other to alert human employees of maintenance needs.
These scenarios show that connectivity technologies are critical to the IoT world. The following Internet of Things technologies play a key role in enabling this connectivity.
Wi-Fi
This is one of the most commonly used wireless communication protocols today, especially in personal devices such as laptops, smartphones, and fitness bracelets. Due to its popularity, it’s easy to see why it plays an important role in the IoT world.
Bluetooth
This technology was originally invented as an alternative cable for portable personal devices such as keyboards, mice, and headsets.
This short-range wireless transmission protocol is also used in healthcare applications, such as wearables for medical monitoring and smart medical devices that connect wirelessly to smartphones for data collection.
NFC (Near Field Communication)
Although similar to RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), NFC works through electromagnetic induction rather than radio waves. Two devices can share information with each other when they are close together (20 cm or more). Today NFC is very popular in mobile payment.
Internet of Things technologies 5. Sensors
IoT sensors are usually miniature devices that collect and transmit data such as temperature, humidity, air quality, and activity. Although the size of these sensors is small, their impact on the IoT is significant.
The key to the success of IoT sensors is that they must be low cost, low power, and can be easily integrated into devices or objects that are already in use.
There are more opportunities ahead, especially in sensing technology, as current systems often require more computing power from edge devices (i.e., where the sensors are located).
The Internet of Things technologies is combined with many different technologies. It is an ecosystem of physical objects that use embedded sensors, processors, and communications hardware to collect and exchange data.
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