What is internet of things?
As we all know, internet has been around for more than two decades now. In the conventional way, internet connects between people using networks. Internet of things interconnects physical things like smart devices through secure networks using RF technology.
Internet of things transforms physical objects into smart devices to communicate and interpret information from the surroundings.
In simple explanation, internet of things is a sophisticated system consists of physical objects with group of embedded sensors specially designed and configured with secure network.
The information collected from individual smart devices are processed in a centralized system depends on the nature of task the device performs.
Smart Home
Researches shows that smart devices for household applications will be the main focus of internet of things. IoT will offer a smart home with the entire electronic device are connected, capable of communicate each other and send information whenever it necessary.
For example; sensors in your wall will be able to detect your presence in the room and control the air conditioner’s temperature.
Smart sensors attached to the door will help to open and close the door once someone reaches its vicinity. It can also trigger some events like turn on or off the lights in the room or adjust the airflow to the room.
Smart water level sensors can monitor the use of water and control the flow of water in a proper manner.
Smart devices attached to the washing machines can detect the level of detergent and alarm it. During break down, it will be able to inform the service team that it has to be repaired.
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology has already been very common among youngsters and older people. Convenience of these smart devices makes them essential choice. Smart devices like smartwatches can perform lot of functions than just a watch.
A good smart watch can monitor your health conditions like heart beat, blood pressure level, sleeping pattern etc…
In near future, a medical practitioner can analyze data of his patient with the use of specially designed wearable smart devices. It could even send messages to get help from medical services during severe medical conditions like cardiac arrest or stroke.
Most importantly, these smart devices can help to improve the health condition of individuals by tracking daily activities. Devices like Google Glass and virtual reality gadgets have already won our hearts.
Smart Cities
Smart cities are next big things going to happen within this decade with innovative wireless technology which opens millions of opportunity both for investors and ultimately for customers.
IoT will revolutionize the way we manage our road traffic, security systems, waste management, and pollution control systems. Real time monitoring systems ensures better social security and disaster management.
Industrial and Automobile
IoT in industry will offer lot of possibilities and options to be added to the new products. Smart car technology was a new concept in the beginning of this century. Now we are able to connect our cars with Smartphone and specially designed applications can be used to perform certain tasks.
Many sensors in the car collect information and send it to a service team or manufacturer’s database. These data will help the manufactures to track and monitor how individual units perform. It will help the design team to continuously improve their product.
Supply Chain and Retail Management
Collection of data in real time is the key factor in improving the efficiency of supply chain management. IoT will help to track supply movements and analytics will improve productivity and output.
Well optimized mobile applications integrated with central control system on clouds will ensure smooth handling of supply chain and inventory management effectively. It offers service providers and customers ease of access on their fingertips.
Smart price tags will revolutionize the retail industry. Based on market trends and demands, tags change in real time.
Data analysis will be used to optimize and predict market trends which help big companies to further improve their system and meet customer requirements.
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the most important areas of improvement using modern technology. Medical care is a multibillion dollar industry demands better quality and convenience to all of its participants. IoT will play a significant role in improving the quality of the health-care services like:
Remote monitoring – allows doctors and medical practitioners monitor the status of patients in real time. It integrates every participants using mobile devices.
Video conferencing – help doctors interact each other and other doctors will be able to learn by watching surgeries even from remote locations.
Data analytics – accruing and analyzing data will help researchers and medical companies to get insights, improve the quality of medicine, equipments and services.
Energy Management
Energy management system designed with sophisticated sensors integrated with appliances automatically senses and alert users what need to be done. It will help customers to easily schedule and manage their energy efficient household devices and appliances using their smart phone.
In future, all household appliances like air-conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines will be able to communicate and alert users during specific scenarios.
IoT will help industries to manage energy effectively using smart sensor technology. It will offer further cost reduction and better energy distribution in an easier way.
Smart sensors used in power grids to monitor and analyze data effectively.
Smart farming and agriculture
Remote sensing technology will collect huge amount of data from a big geographical area within less time and transmit the information for further analysis. It will allow farmers to find out irregularities in crops and severe damages which could affect a vast area and act properly to proceed to next step.
Using IoT technology, farmers will be able to implement controlled irrigation and water management according to different weather conditions. Temperature and moisture sensors track conditions in real time and alert for further action if necessary.
Scope of RF technology in Internet of Things
- Radio frequency technology perfectly fits into most of the IoT applications and in many cases it is one of the essential component.
- Wearable technology uses RF devices to connect with Smartphone and other smart devices. Wireless technology is widely used in medical equipments real time monitoring systems.
- RF transmitters and receivers used in smart home devices to connect with internet using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Wireless connectivity has already been implemented in new generation home appliances.
- RFID sensors are inevitable in industries, supply chain management, smart farming and many other applications.
- Remote sensing uses wireless technology to transmit information to another location where the data is analyzed.
- Wireless transceivers are integrated with temperature, humidity and fire sensors which are inevitable component in industrial IoT applications.
Conclusion
IoT is made possible with smart sensor technology which collects data and transmits to processing station. Smart device capable of communicating and sensing will offer a better customer experience. Safety and security aspects of IoT devices often questioned are is still in discussion.
IoT opens a door of opportunities to investors, new tech startups and engineers to research, analyze and improve traditional system and transform it into a smarter energy efficient and secure system. RF technology allows us to easily connect our smart IoT devices each other without any complicated configuration requirements.
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