IoT

6LoWPAN is the abbreviation for IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks. As the name implies, the protocol combines the latest Internet Protocol and Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks. It helps in enabling direct access to TCP/IP internet connectivity for IoT devices with constraints on power consumption. 6LoWPAN protocol helps small IoT devices access internet connectivity, irrespective of the processing ability. At the same time, it also ensures optimal power consumption for IoT devices. 

Advanced Encryption Standard is a set of specifications for encrypting electronic data. It was developed in 2001 and worked on a public/private fundamental model to encrypt sensitive IoT data. The practical implementation of AES depends on the careful planning of key management, and AES is the standard specification for transport layer security of IoT networks. As of now, there have been no instances of successful attacks on IoT data encrypted with AES.

Bluetooth Low Energy, or BLE, is a wireless and personal-area network that has also earned the tag of Bluetooth 4.0. The capabilities of BLE include the facility of short-range communications with considerably lesser power consumption for data transmission. Bluetooth Low Energy offers the advantages of lower costs and safety for IoT data transmission. It ensures stable wireless connectivity—the benefits of BLE help resolve many prominent concerns regarding performance and pairing with Bluetooth technology.  

Edge computing refers to the method that enables computation at the point where IoT devices collect and use data. It helps avoid the need to send IoT data to a cloud platform or data center. Combining edge computing and IoT can offer a channel for faster, real-time data analysis. Edge computing can also help in providing reliable IoT services with the assurance of improved user experiences alongside supporting latency-sensitive applications. 

Embedded software refers to programs that contain instruction logic or IoT devices. The embedded software works on hardware microcontrollers and helps address requirements for certain low-level functions. In most cases, embedded software can achieve the desired tasks without operating systems. Embedded software works with limits on time and memory consumption as it targets specific hardware. IoT innovation can help in addressing the problems with constraints on embedded software.

The IoT Gateway is a device that receives information from different points in an IoT network and transfers data to other networks. Businesses deploy a combination of multiple IoT devices that can create difficulties in monitoring and managing the devices. IoT Gateway offers a centralized hub for connecting IoT devices and sensors to the cloud. New IoT gateways feature bidirectional data flow for easier uploading of IoT sensor data for processing and improving IoT security.  

Firmware-Over-the-Air, or FOTA, is a mobile technology that helps IoT manufacturers address bug-repairing requirements remotely. In addition, FOTA can help remotely install new software, services, features, and updates on mobile devices following product distribution. FOTA is an essential highlight of IoT as it offers efficient approaches for upgrading mobile devices in IoT networks. Manufacturers could find a cost-effective alternative for saving resources on device maintenance through effective and punctual predictions.  

General Packet Radio Service is a wireless communications standard on 2G and 3G cellular networks. GPRS supports various bandwidths and data rates in the 56 to 114 kbps range. Cellular companies are gradually turning towards advanced networks. Therefore, GPRS networks could serve as the cost-effective choice for connectivity in IoT networks. On the other hand, new networks such as NB-IoT and LTE-M can replace conventional cellular standards.

Industrial IoT is the umbrella term applied to all IoT applications in industrial applications. IIoT helps machines and industrial equipment transmit real-time information to a concerned application. Industrial IoT helps manufacturers and industrial operators in evaluating equipment efficiency. The efficiency of industrial IoT in predictive maintenance also guarantees value advantages for avoiding costly repairs and replacements. IIoT applications have gained momentum in different industries, including agriculture and supply chain management.

Low-Power Wide-Area Network, or LPWAN, is a wireless telecommunication network that facilitates long-range communications at considerably lower bit rates among IoT devices. LPWAN is one of the integral components in IoT innovation, with capabilities for connecting distant sensors and other devices. The most noticeable highlight of LPWAN focuses on reduced power consumption alongside ensuring stable connectivity at low speeds. LPWAN could facilitate better energy efficiency in transmitting small volumes of IoT data.  

Mobile IoT is a self-explanatory term and denotes the applications of IoT in the mobile industry. The growing adoption of IoT encouraged the mobile sector to adapt to the changes through the development of cellular technology. Mobile IoT focuses on low-power wide-area or LPWA 3GPP standardized operators for managing IoT networks within a licensed spectrum. Mobile IoT networks utilize dedicated spectrum bands to avoid interference, ensuring better security than conventional IoT networks.   

IoT protocols are communication channels between IoT devices and play a crucial role in ensuring data security between connected IoT devices. The two common types of IoT protocols are network and data protocols. Network protocols help connect devices across the IoT network, while data protocols help establish a connection between low-power IoT devices. Examples of IoT protocols include LoRaWAN, Zigbee, MQTT, and AMQP protocols. 

The Global Navigation Satellite System, or GNSS, is a common term for describing satellite navigation systems, which offer autonomous geospatial positioning across different locations worldwide. Devices with access to GNSS functionality help ensure better accuracy, availability, and redundancy for technologies at other times. In the event of failure of one satellite, another satellite can connect with the device in a matter of seconds, thereby avoiding delays.  

NB-IoT, or narrowband IoT, is a wireless IoT protocol that leverages LPWA technology to support multiple IoT devices and services. Narrowband IoT can help in enabling IoT networks with flexibility for low-cost implementations. It also helps expand the possibilities for IoT applications by offering the power to connect almost anything, such as pet leashes or parking meters. The primary goal of NB-IoT focuses on extending the coverage of IoT networks. 

Mesh networks refer to the multimode structures in IoT networks that can connect through different routers. The connections in a mesh network are direct and dynamic without signs of a predefined hierarchy. In addition, the links in mesh networks can adapt to different networking conditions with flexibility for efficient data transmission. Mesh networks are reliable for enterprise IoT applications, requiring long-range transmission and stability.  

Quality of Service, or QoS, estimates how the IoT network performs and uses its resources. The term focuses specifically on IoT network performance for ensuring IoT connectivity. Quality of Service is an essential benchmark for managing network features and resources. The crucial factors for evaluating QoS include connection availability, information loss, and transmission delays. Effective management of QoS could help classify traffic and improve real-time alerts. 

Extended Discontinuous Reception, or eDRX, is a unique feature in IoT devices tailored for efficient power consumption. The eDRX feature helps reduce the power consumption of IoT devices by extending the period for which users cannot connect with an IoT device. Developers could customize the time for which IoT devices can rest in the low-power sleep mode. As a result, the eDRX feature helps a device connect to an IoT network only when required.

The microcontroller unit, or MCU, is a tiny computing device implemented in IoT networks. IoT devices rely on MCUs for processing ability, and microcontroller units can support one to two simple tasks. Microcontroller units include a single IC chip, which features a CPU and RAM, communication interfaces, and peripheral drivers. MCUs use the peripheral drivers for general-purpose input/output functions, while communication interfaces help IoT devices communicate with the modem. 

Power Saving Mode, or PSM, is one of the essential highlights in the architecture of IoT networks. IoT networks have encountered problems with inconsistencies in data transmission among cellular devices. The Power Saving Mode can help reduce power consumption across IoT use cases through the RAN or Radio Access Network. Power Saving Mode or PSM refers to a device state when the device is powered off while still active on the network.

The LoRa is a wireless protocol created particularly for facilitating long-range communications with low power consumption. Also referred to as the LoRaWAN protocol, it serves crucial applications in IoT networks for the connection of battery-operated devices with the internet across  global networks. It is an LPWAN specification integrated with IoT devices for facilitating IoT and machine-to-machine communications. Various carriers are experimenting with leveraging the LoRaWAN protocol to support efficient IoT networks. 

M2M, or machine-to-machine, is a broader concept when compared to the Internet of Things or IoT. It denotes the model of connected devices involved in information exchange with multiple connected devices without human intervention. Machines’ capabilities for monitoring other machines’ status without human intervention can transform various industries. For example, a machine could communicate with another device to notify maintenance alerts and eliminate the need for manual monitoring.  

LTE-M is the abbreviation for Long Term Evolution Machine-type Communications. It is an inherent aspect of the broader LTE ecosystem with the advantage of better energy efficiency. LTE-M can leverage an extended discontinuous repetition cycle to help endpoints communicate with the control tower or IoT network. LTE-M is one of the prominent IoT standards for enabling IoT operations on carrier networks with lower costs and better efficiency in power consumption. 

Near-Field Communication or NFT in IoT refers to a low-power and low-speed radio communication standard with a lower data transmission speed. It can enable bidirectional communication between two distinct endpoints within close range. NFC does not require a physical device connection for sending information and has become a popular standard for contactless communication among mobile devices. The prominent applications of NFC in IoT point to the accessibility of control applications and on-site configuration for IoT sensors and systems. 

Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, uses strong radio waves to trigger a current in a small tag for sending a radio transmission signal back to another device or database. RFID works for short-range applications only with trivial data volumes. The primary applications of RFID tags have been noticed in supply chain management for monitoring and documenting the movement of goods. RFID tags also help in monitoring temperature and radiation levels.

A smart meter is one of the best use cases of IoT with significant benefits for creating smart cities. The smart meter is an electronic device with IoT capabilities that can collect data regarding the consumption of utilities such as electricity or gas. Intelligent meters relay the collected data about energy consumption to the consumer and the energy company. Smart meters can help optimize power consumption and maintain better track of energy costs.

Structure attenuation in IoT networks refers to the loss of signal strength across network connections and hardware. The standard units for measuring structure attenuation include voltage or decibels. Structure attenuation can emerge due to various factors which lead to incomprehensible and distorted signals. The impact of structure attenuation on IoT networks results in slower data transmission speed. Repeaters serve as a viable solution for addressing the problem of structure attenuation.

Software-Defined Networks or SDN in IoT is the networking approach that involves separating hardware and controlling information flow. SDN can allocate the control of information flow to a software controller. As a result, SDN could reduce the volume of data transmitted through wireless channels. SDN could serve as a promising strategy for improving the efficiency of IoT networks. Software-defined networks can offer better control with enhanced speed and flexibility alongside robust security advantages. 

Zigbee is an IoT protocol that enables interoperability and coordination between smart devices in IoT networks. The primary applications of Zigbee are evident in the case of home automation. One of the significant highlights of the Zigbee protocol refers to the industrial settings, and it is helpful for apps that can support short-range data transfers with limited data. Common IoT use cases, such as electric meters and street lights, use Zigbee communication protocol.

Ultra-Wide Band or UWB is a ‘spark gap’ transmitter that emits a significantly weak and considerably larger frequency pulse of RF energy. The UWB signal serves practical advantages in the localization of signals as the broader signal bandwidths help effectively measure distance. UWB works by generating short and narrow pulses, thereby serving practical uses in asset tracking and inventory management. The primary advantages of UWB include precision, reliability, and speed.

Message Query Telemetry Transport or MQTT is one of the most popular IoT protocols. It helps collect data from different electronic devices while supporting remote monitoring of devices. The MQTT protocol follows a subscribe/publish protocol operating over the Transmission Control Protocol or TCP. As a result, it can support event-based message transfer across wireless networks. MQTT protocol can be helpful for IoT devices requiring low memory and power, such as fire alarms.