How To Start Learning IoT

Further to the discussion How To Start Learning IoT ?, first thing I would like to say don’t chess the people if everyone is saying want to learn IoT or there is huge scope of is there in IoT. If you really interested then go ahead and read out the complete article.

You might have read and followed various blogs that explains about the potential of IoT and how it is being expanding day-by-day at an exponential rate. The definition of IoT is not static as it keeps on taking new stats and metrics. So to start with, I would like give our readers a brief introduction about “What is IoT?” and guidelines to getting started with learning IoT.

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What is IoT(Internet of Things)?

The Internet of Things is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data without the direct intervention of human-to-human or human-to-computer. (As defined by Wikipedia)

The term “Internet of Things” is based on the concept of the flow of data between various devices using various existing technologies, sensors and network infrastructure. The devices can be a smartphone, washing machine, television, microwave, or coffee maker so on. The IoT allows objects and devices to be sensed or controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure. This gives a direct integration of the devices to the physical world using computer-based systems and technologies. This results in enhanced accuracy, efficiency, security and less human intervention.

How the Internet of Things Works

We always think of having Smart Home, where devices can understand human needs and act accordingly. For example the alarm rings with your favourite jam to give you a fresh start, coffee machine starts brewing to your scheduled time, lights should on/off the moment you step in your home or walk through the kitchen. Even your car can act smart by assisting you in navigating to uncontested routes and many more. We are listening to such things since decades, but many of us are not aware of how far we have reached to the reality.

There are some voice-controlled assistants that can control your devices at home and responds accordingly to your request to call a person or message someone from your contacts. With the help of technologies like artificial Intelligence and Machine learning, these are now possible. And these technologies forms the base of IoT (Internet of Things).

The basic of an IoT(Internet of Things) system is built upon four distinct components:

Sensors/Devices
Connectivity
Data processing
User interface

The first component is the sensors or the devices or the objects that do the talking by collecting the data to their operating environment and send them to the cloud system using the network connectivity(cellular, satellite, WiFi, Bluetooth, LAN or WAN). After the data have been received by the cloud, the data is processed using softwares and then it decides the required actions to be taken. So it sends the signal or alerts the sensors/devices and the they are adjusted or controlled automatically without human intervention.

Sensors/Devices -> Through The Connectivity -> To The Cloud -> User Interface

Sometimes, there are needs to input data by the user to perform some specific tasks or needs to check on their system for which a user interface is needed to interact users with the sensors/device. Any inputs or actions made by the user are then send in the reverse direction also as displaying below . This is how the whole IoT system works and acts accordingly.

User Interface <- To The Cloud <- Through The Connectivity <- Sensors/Devices

Getting Started With Learning IoT

To step with the learning path of the IoT, you will need to have a good knowledge of concepts and skills needed to start developing IoT. The basics of IoT developments integrates three components: 1. choosing correct hardware, 2. opting for right network technologies, and 3. identifying the IoT platform to started working for your first IoT project.

● The basic IoT concepts and skills

To get started learning or developing a simple IoT project, you need to learn the basic concept and skill involving to be an IoT developer. There are wide variety of tools, platforms and processes that you should be willing to adapt and work according to the rapid changing technologies.

● IoT hardware

To develop an IoT solution, you need the hardware and software components that integrates together with the connectivity and make the devices exchange data. Each hardware component like the sensors and actuators is designed for a particular task and purpose. So, you need to determine which hardware you need to use for developing your IoT app or develop any project.

However, hardware platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi are the mostly chosen by the starters as they can help to jump start the process of prototyping and refinement. As they are less expensive, readily available and have built-in internet connectivity features.

● IoT network technology

Now, you have chosen the right hardware components and the device you need to connect. The next step is to establish the most suitable network connection so that the sensors/devices can communicate with each other. In the context of IoT, networking plays a major role as they enable the IoT devices to communicate with one another as well as with other apps and services that are connected to the same network/cloud.

To ensure the uninterrupted communication between the devices, you need to have a broader sense of various parameters like network range, bandwidth, power usage, interoperability, security and volume of data that needs to shared between the devices. So, the networking technology you choose will have the direct impact on your overall IoT application/project.

● IoT Platform

An IoT platform acts like an middleware that connects the hardware devices and the data that flows through user-interface like applications on mobile and web. So, it is good to opt for an IoT platform to establish connection between all your devices, softwares, services and applications. IoT platform will also ensure secure communication throughout your IoT project.

What are the best websites to learn Internet of Things?

IoTIFY – IoTIFY is the cloud based intelligent device simulator and load testing solution for IoT platforms. It enables rapid IoT Application development by simulating virtual devices in the cloud.
Lynda – you can have online courses, videos and get expert advice and guidelines from top IT developers.
Udemy – This is also a very good platform to start learning IoT, if you haven’t been yet.
Coursera – Learn about programming IoT devices, skills and technologies. Design, create, and deploy a fun IoT device using Arduino and Raspberry Pi platforms.