Wired networks are mainly used to transfer data to base station by connecting sensor. It brings advantage as it provides reliable and stable communication system for instruments and controls. However, the cost of necessary cables is very high. Therefore, recently low cost wireless networks are strongly required by customers, for example, temporary instrument networks and/or some non-critical permanent sites which require low data rate and longer battery life.

In client/server model, file server act as a parent node which allow multiple child node to connect with it. It is responsible for central storage and data management so that other computers are able to access the file under the same network.

ZigBee

Zigbee is the wireless language that everyday devices use to connect to each other. ZigBee refers to high-level communication protocol which can be used to build a personal area networks (PAN). It is a small and low-power digital radio that based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Because of its low power consumption, the transmission distance is up to 10 - 100 meter line-of-sights.

ZigBee is mostly used in low data a rate application that does not need high power consumption but secure transmission. ZigBee networks use 128 bit symmetric encryption keys. ZigBee has pre-defined rate of 250 kbit/s, which is best for intermittent data transmissions from a sensor input device.

Multiple applications do exist today such as wireless light switches, traffic management system, consumer equipment etc. that make use of short-range low-rate wireless data communication such as ZigBee. ZigBee is considered better than other technology (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) because it is simpler and less expensive.

EXAMPLE USE CASES

Apart from many use-cases being discussed today, we can explore more and more use-cases to improve our life. For example, in 2007, there was a bridge collapsed in Minnesota, the cause of this tragic accident was that the steel plates were inadequate to handle the load. If we had implemented smart cement equipped with sensor to monitor cracks, stresses and war pages, the tragedy could have been escaped. Therefore, IoT should be further explore that any object can represent itself digitally and become more powerful, alive than it is today.

HUGE DATA GENERATION

The IoT based devices collect huge amount of useful data with the help of various existing technologies and then automatically flow this data between other devices as per requirements of use-case scenarios.

Current market examples include Smart cities, smart energy management, security management, manufacturing process aid, home automation etc. Home automation involves devices (also known as smart home devices) help in the process of control and automation of lighting, heating (like smart thermostat), ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and appliances such as washer/dryers, robotic vacuums, air purifiers, ovens, or refrigerators/freezers that use Wi-Fi for remote monitoring.


Due to the expansion of Internet-connected automation into a plethora of new application areas, IoT is also expected to generate large amounts of data from diverse locations, with the consequent necessity for quick aggregation of the data, and an increase in the need to index, store, and process such data more effectively.

DATA ANALYTICS STREAMING

The next thing in IoT scenario would be to generate almost real-time analytics and stream this information to business users to assist them in making faster and better informed decisions. Different set of data accumulation and data analysis techniques are engaged in generating meaningful information from the huge and fast data being generated through hundreds of connected IoT devices.


Note: In the upcoming articles in IoT stream, we'd discuss certain practical examples involving programming devices scenarios.