Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) and Applications

This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts of the Internet of Things (IoT). It covers the definition of IoT, historical aspects of its development, and the comprehensive process of creating an IoT application or system from initial concept to product certification. The module also explores various applications of IoT across different sectors including industrial, agricultural, and healthcare domains. Students will learn about the architecture required for IoT implementations, how to design effective IoT solutions, and examine real-world applications to understand practical implementation challenges and benefits.

This module provides an in-depth exploration of hardware and software components used in IoT development. Students will learn to identify essential hardware elements for IoT solutions, including development boards like Raspberry Pi and Arduino, and various types of sensors (both analog and digital). The module introduces Node-Red, a specialized multi-platform software for developing IoT systems, covering its installation, development environment, and first application creation. Students will gain practical knowledge of Node-Red's primary nodes including input nodes, output nodes, and function nodes, preparing them to build functional IoT applications with real-world relevance.

This module details the primary communication protocols used in IoT implementations. Students will explore both wireless protocols like HTTP and MQTT, and wired protocols like serial communication. The module covers serial protocol implementation in Arduino and Node-Red, HTTP protocol configuration for hardware and Node-Red including REST API development, and the MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport) protocol with its broker-based architecture. Students will learn about MQTT topics, publishers, and subscribers, gaining hands-on experience through real-world IoT applications that demonstrate these communication protocols in action.

This bonus module presents functioning real-world applications from various sectors and demonstrates their solutions using the tools covered throughout the course. Students will examine case studies from the industrial sector, transportation sector, and healthcare sector. For each case study, the module walks through both the solution design process and implementation details, providing practical examples of how IoT technologies can address real challenges in different industries. This hands-on approach helps students understand how theoretical concepts translate into practical solutions that deliver value in commercial applications.