Embedded device, networked sensors and actuators form the basis for IoT. An embedded developer sees IoT (Internet of Things) as an area full of opportunities. IoT is not limited to any specific domain or business. IoT involves all devices that have a unique ID and can be configured with address to locate them. For an embedded developer, IoT is not just limited to a single area, an embedded developer can design, develop and program, configure, debug and reprogram any device. It can independently design any device or concept of its own in IoT. IoT requires a lot of knowledge in the areas of programming, networking, testing and maintenance. Thinking about a specific domain and restricting yourself to it will not do justice to the embedded developer working in IoT.
IoT involves so many things that are not possible for normal people to incorporate into their lives anytime soon. There are so many things that need to be developed before becoming part of the IoT inter-network. To understand and implement IoT in our life, we need to learn some very basic things. Being an embedded developer, knowledge across domains is required. For an embedded developer this is not a difficult task, but he must have the knowledge to connect all peripherals to the processor. His knowledge about various processors and microcontrollers helps him to build a better device with high efficiency. Since IoT is made up of small and simple microcontroller-based devices connected together to form a complex network, it is obvious to figure out which microcontroller supports connectivity. The small microcontroller must be connected and compatible with the high-end processor-based server to exchange the data. The microcontroller-based device will run a small firmware with dedicated functionality, while the processor-based server or PC will run multifunctional software known as the operating system. Therefore, for an embedded developer, IoT is not just an interconnected network, but much more than that.
IoT cannot be defined only by PCs, servers, cell phones, tablets, etc. connected with a TCP/IP-based network. We live in a world where more than 1 billion devices are connected. IoT deals with two main aspects i.e. network (internet) and device (embedded). Over the years, there have been many advancements in the area of IoT. The network handles the amount of data being transferred and processed, while the device handles the acquisition of the data. All of this may seem like finding a needle in a haystack, but considering the other aspect is that we are always connected and receiving information from all parts of the planet.
The server and sensor hub run continuously 24/7, providing and processing information. The device acts as an interface for the end user to give or receive information. The embedded developer needs to think from all angles and then design the device and its architecture. Implementing IoT is not a single person's job, but they can take a small step in contributing to IoT. For examples of implementing IoT in home cars, etc. He can buy a simple Arduino or Raspberry Pi with ARM processor ready to use development board available in the market. An embedded development can connect a simple sensor to turn the house into a smart home. It can interface with light detector sensor, automated window and door, anywhere Internet access, fire alarm and smoke detector, etc. These small sensor nodes with a TCP/IP enabled device will collect the data and send it to the main server (raspberry pi in our case). The Raspberry Pi will then calculate and provide a result based on the end user's needs. This is a basic example that can be improved to create a complex network of sensors and devices in the home. We can create such a small network in our car, office, stores, etc. And when these small networks connect to the internet, it gives us the ability to access all data from anywhere. And become part of the IoT. IoT can be integrated into any type of environment. Many offices and multinational companies have implemented IoT in their facilities, which allows their employees to have better living comfort and work in one place.
IoT can be termed as smart device network and the embedded developer is the key person to make an internet-based network smarter. From his perspective, there is nothing he cannot do and there is not much need to do. IoT applications that take humanity to the future are smart cities, smart homes, smart environment and smart agriculture, etc. IoT architecture is very complicated to understand. It involves layered architecture where the sensor and device handle the lower level and the server handles the higher level. The interconnection between these devices is carried out by the cloud, having a gateway and network layer. Embedded developer falls into all domains that include application, cloud, device, and network.
Let's consider an example of implementing IoT in a small house. As we discussed above, we can implement whatever we want, but let's look at a small application that requires internet access and automated lighting in the house. To do this, an embedded developer will need application hardware (TCP/IP enabled processor), sensor node and a server (PC). The sensor will send data to the server continuously and the application hardware will connect to the server to access the information. To develop an application, we need to program our application hardware to read data. To do this, we need to develop firmware for the hardware base of our application. In this layer we can develop our application that will access the data. To develop such coding, we need some kind of IDE/tool like Eclipse or Keil, etc. Now this code must be protected so that no intruder can access the data. To do this we must implement a secure boot and encrypt our data. Cryptography offers the best solution to problems where security is our biggest concern. Once the application hardware has been developed and implemented, we need to work on connectivity. if the application device or hardware is mobile or portable, wireless connectivity is preferred, whereas for devices like sensor hub and server that remain fixed, wired connectivity is preferred. Wired connectivity provided secure and faster data transfer with much lower maintenance costs. Wireless connectivity provides the foundation for IoT because it allows the user to access its resources from anywhere without needing a wired connection. Wireless connectivity uses radio waves which can also be short-range waves and long-range waves. Few devices that use radio waves are RFID devices, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. IoT should be implemented using them as a connectivity medium to connect different sensor hubs and user devices to the server. This connectivity follows the OSI standard model for communicating with other devices. Since the OSI protocol stack is available, we can implement them directly on all nodes to provide compatibility. Having standard protocol on all nodes helps us connect all existing tools and saves a lot of money. Having backwards compatibility increases the number of devices that can take part in this communication between IoT networks.
In this era, if we talk about IoT, it is natural to consider both mobile phone and PC, but we must include all embedded devices such as GPS, network printing, satellite TV (DTH), wireless headphone, etc., connecting independently to provide us with comfort. . However, all these devices are nothing but embedded devices developed by an embedded developer. Therefore, without an embedded developer it is very difficult to implement such a concept and make it a reality.
